Commercial property surveys: Which one do I need?

By Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors

26 Jan 2021

pauldignan.png

As commercial Chartered Building Surveyors, Lea Hough offer a range of building surveys on commercial properties.  Surveys of commercial properties vary widely and depending on the reason for instruction, commercial surveys are often more detailed and complex than residential surveys.

Here are the three main types of commercial property survey and the circumstances in which they may be required:

Building Survey Report

A Building Survey is a detailed pre-purchase report advising a prospective commercial property buyer on the condition of a single property / portfolio of buildings. Highlighting any defects that may be present at the time of survey, the Pre-Acquisition Building Survey Report also looks at any areas that may need future maintenance in the short to medium term; describing observations in detail as well as advising on how to deal with any remedial works that may be necessary. A Building Survey Report may form part of negotiations before a sale is agreed, having the potential to save the buyer a significant amount on the purchase price.

Schedule of Condition

A Schedule of Condition records the condition of a property at a given point in time and is most frequently required when a new tenant is taking up a lease on a property. It is usually the tenant that appoints a surveyor to undertake a Schedule of Condition, acting to limit their liability for repairs and maintenance. A Schedule of Condition involves a thorough inspection of the building, followed by a report which contains many photographs and a detailed description of each element of the building. In documenting the condition of the property at the point of taking occupancy, the tenant can ensure they won’t be liable to return the property in a higher standard of repair than described in the report.

A Schedule of Condition may also be requested by a landlord in some cases, for example if they have undertaken recent refurbishment of a property and will therefore want to ensure that their new tenant returns it in the same condition at the end of the lease.

Schedule of Dilapidations

This report is usually carried out at the end of a lease under the instruction of a property owner in order to establish the repairing obligations of their tenant. A Commercial Building Surveyor will carry out a Dilapidations Survey to review whether the repair obligations of the tenant have been met, advising on the cost to rectify any defects that do not meet the required state of repair.

Following preparation of a Schedule of Dilapidations, a Building Surveyor can act on behalf of a landlord or tenant to try and reach a settlement for a dilapidations claim.  

The technical knowledge and expertise of commercial Chartered Building Surveyors to advise on commercial premises can offer significant benefits to both landlords and tenants.

Lea Hough’s team are on hand to advise commercial clients in regards to property transactions of all types, and can point you in the direction of most suitable survey for your needs. Visit www.leahough.co.uk

 Article by Paul Dignan, Partner 

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin