The Dilapidations Protocol, which was introduced in 2002, has been amended following a review by the Property Litigation Association in conjunction with the RICS review of its Dilapidations Guidance Notes.
Concerns were raised over the requirement for surveyors to give an endorsement that the amounts that a landlord claims are “a fair assessment of the landlord’s loss”.
The revised protocol removes this wording and provides that the surveyor who prepares the schedule should confirm that the works in the schedule are reasonably required, any costs quoted are reasonable and that full account has been taken of the landlord’s intention for the property at, or shortly after, the termination of the tenancy.
The endorsement aims to prevent exaggerated claims by landlords and enable early settlement of claims.
RICS expects to update its guidance note, which refers to the protocol, by the end of May.
View the protocol at http://www.pla.org.uk/
