What is a Dilapidation Report?

A dilapidation report is a periodic report issued by a local authority or an independent organization that details what is known or expected to exist in a given area before a building project begins. In short, it’s an inventory of all the current conditions existing before any construction work can begin. Dilapidation reports give a detailed picture of what to expect as well as a cost analysis of what could happen if construction were to be carried out. The full name of the person who is responsible for ordering a Dilapidation Report is usually included as well as their contact details and a map of where the report will be posted.

What is a Dilapidation Report?

A dilapidation report documents the current condition of a road, building, footpath, bridge, park etc before construction work is started on a neighbour’s property. It records major defects that exist before construction and details any repair work needed to ensure that any heavy machinery or equipment will not cause damage to adjacent properties. It should also record any ground or surface changes that have occurred after the start of the project so that any post-dilapidation survey can correctly identify the exact changes that have been made.

A dilapidation report is used as evidence at the end of any heavy machinery works to ensure that the property owner is indeed covered for any unexpected post-work problems. If an unexpected problem occurs, the work will stop immediately and the local area will not be liable for compensation. This ensures that the property owner doesn’t have to wait until after the project has been completed to apply for compensation.

Benefits

What are the benefits of ordering a dilapidation report when it comes to covering unexpected defects? There are many benefits of ordering a dilapidation report. One benefit is to ensure that any pre-existing defects are included in the original bid for the job. For example, if general contractor bids on a building site and mentions that there are two previous works carried out on the same site. To bid successfully, you must state that you have no prior defects on the site.

Why would I need a dilapidation report if I have a new building on the site? If you’ve newly purchased a property, it is common practice for a builder or purchaser to carry out routine checks on the site to check for any signs of damage. This should include looking for any signs of dilapidation including cracked concrete, tiles that have been broken, or signs of damage that could be associated with water leakage or other issues. A dilapidation report will allow you to take action if you discover these problems before any work begins.

Other Issues

Will a dilapidation report on a commercial property affect my chances of securing a development agreement? As a buyer or a prospective seller of a commercial property, you should always be made aware of any potential defects that may impact your ability to get a development agreement. Ensuring that your Dilapidation Report is submitted when you apply for planning permission and that the local authorities agree with your findings, can go a long way towards helping you secure a development. Dilapidation reports are also an important requirement to any lender looking to lend you money for a commercial property. Not only can a dilapidation report help the lender to assess the likely cost of any renovation works on your property, but it can also help them decide whether you are a suitable borrower.

Will hiring a professional firm removes the worry that some property owners have about having to carry out the required checks themselves? Dilapidation reports are usually just one part of an overall check that commercial construction companies carry out. They will, for example, thoroughly investigate any signs of subsidence, structural damage or possible electrical problems. If any problems are found during this stage, the company will take steps to repair the problem or prevent it from occurring in the future. If they find that necessary structural damage or electrical issues are not present, the company will advise the property owners so that appropriate action can be taken.

Understanding why these reports are undertaken, how they are carried out, what checks they include and whether there are other ways that a property owner can protect their interests before having to submit a report are all important considerations. The process of obtaining a report, and what it might mean for your current condition, will require further information before any decisions are made. Dilapidation surveys and investigations will only ever show you what, if anything, needs to be repaired or replaced on your property. For that reason, you must learn as much as you can about what is a Dilapidation Survey before you have to submit a report to your lender or other interested parties.