A Schedule of Condition is a document which records the condition of a building at the time of the inspection. Schedules of condition can vary in detail with simple photographic schedules, with no text or commentary, through to detailed written reports with accompanying photographs.
A Schedule of Condition can be prepared for a number of different reasons and it is important to understand what the schedule will be used for to then determine the level of detail most appropriate for its purpose. A Schedule of Condition is a document designed to provide protection to interested parties. That can include limiting a tenants’ future lease liabilities. If the proposed demise is in a poor condition at the lease commencement, and this is recorded in a Schedule of Condition, the tenant can ensure he is not held responsible for defects and issues which existed prior to his occupation. To do this the Schedule of Condition must be agreed with the landlord and attached to the lease.
A Schedule of Condition is often prepared where there is a risk that one owners’ building works may cause damage to a neighbouring property. A Schedule of Condition will record the condition of the neighbouring property before construction starts then in the event damage is caused by the building works that damage is easily identifiable. This should reduce the risk of disputes between neighbours. A Schedule of Condition is typically included in a Party Wall Award for this very purpose.
It is important to understand that a Schedule of Condition simply records the condition of the visible finishes and whilst it will record visible defects it will not investigate or provide any commentary on the possible causes of the defects or the remedy for them. A Schedule of Condition may therefore not be the most document for your requirements but we at Tim Greenwood and Associates welcome the opportunity to discuss Clients’ specific needs and requirements to ensure that they understand what is the most appropriate document for them.
