Other Services
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Are you struggling to persuade your tenant to cover the costs of repairing your property? Alternatively, are you a tenant who feels that your landlord’s requests are unjust?
Do you need expert advice from a RICS chartered surveyor on any matter relating to property?
We can help. Due to our wealth of experience, in-depth industry knowledge and positions in some of the UK’s most prestigious organisations, we’re certified to offer a range of property services that extend beyond valuations and surveys. From providing expert witnesses to preparing documents such as Schedules of Conditions, we can do it all at Samson Consultants Chartered Surveyors. Follow the links below to learn more about how our services can help you save money, prevent potentially costly legal disputes and protect your family’s future.
An Expert Witness Report provides an independent, professional opinion on property-related disputes to support legal proceedings or alternative dispute resolution. Prepared by an RICS Chartered Surveyor, the report presents clear evidence and expert analysis, and the surveyor can also appear in court if required.
Expert witness services are commonly used for arbitration, mediation, dispute resolution and negligence investigations, helping parties reach fair settlements, reduce legal costs and, where possible, avoid court action altogether. Engaging a qualified surveyor ensures facts are presented accurately, false claims are challenged and legal processes run more smoothly.
Samson Consultants’ experienced chartered surveyors are trusted expert witnesses with experience in County Court and High Court cases and memberships in respected professional panels. They can provide expert evidence across a wide range of property matters, including building surveys, valuations, landlord and tenant disputes, dilapidations, boundaries, construction claims, commercial property, professional negligence and leasehold enfranchisement.
A Schedule of Condition is a detailed and impartial record of the condition of a residential or commercial property before a lease is completed. It clearly documents the building’s overall state at a specific point in time, including structural elements, materials used and any existing defects such as damp, wear and tear or damage. This creates a clear benchmark that protects both parties and sets realistic expectations from the outset of the lease.
At the end of the lease term, the Schedule of Condition is used as key evidence to assess whether the property has been returned in the same condition or improved, allowing landlords to identify any tenant-related damage fairly. For tenants, it helps prevent liability for issues that existed prior to occupation and reduces the risk of unjust dilapidation claims. When prepared or reviewed by an RICS Chartered Surveyor, a Schedule of Condition supports dispute resolution, minimises the likelihood of legal action and provides clarity, confidence and peace of mind for both landlords and tenants throughout the leasing process.
A Schedule of Dilapidations is a formal document that outlines the repairs, reinstatement works or lease obligations a tenant is responsible for at the end of a tenancy. It helps landlords and tenants reach a fair settlement by clearly defining responsibilities and associated costs.
For landlords, RICS Chartered Surveyors can prepare accurate and timely Schedules of Dilapidations, recover losses, ensure tenants meet their obligations and resolve disputes efficiently, often without court involvement. For tenants, surveyors provide impartial advice, assess the accuracy of claims, clarify lease responsibilities and help negotiate fair outcomes. Acting as professional representatives or expert witnesses where needed, chartered surveyors ensure dilapidations claims are handled fairly, efficiently and in line with lease terms.
A Licence to Alter is required when a leaseholder plans to carry out certain changes to a leasehold property, particularly works that may affect the structure, services or other occupants. It protects freeholders by ensuring alterations are properly managed and do not cause damage or loss.
RICS Chartered Surveyors can support both landlords and tenants by reviewing lease terms, assessing proposed works, drafting or checking technical documents and acting as an impartial mediator. They can also inspect the property before and after works to ensure compliance with the agreed Licence to Alter. This helps protect assets, minimise delays and errors, and ensure alterations are completed in line with legal and lease requirements.
A Specific Defect Report is a focused building survey that investigates a particular suspected issue with a property, such as cracking, damp or structural movement. Rather than assessing the entire building, it concentrates on one area of concern to identify the cause of the problem and recommend appropriate remedies. These reports are typically carried out by a Chartered Building Surveyor or Structural Engineer and provide a professional, cost-effective second opinion.
Specific Defect Reports are useful when buying, selling, leasing or renovating a property, or when an existing survey has highlighted an issue requiring further investigation. They help property owners understand the seriousness of a defect, protect their investment, support negotiations and provide reassurance before carrying out works.
Costs vary depending on the nature of the defect, property size and location, but they are generally cheaper than full building surveys. A wide range of issues can be examined, from damp, timber decay and water ingress to subsidence, cracking, structural alterations and external factors affecting the building.
