Professional Services

Our team of RICS Registered Valuers provide valuation advice and professional reports on all types of commercial and residential property. These are tailored to clients needs, ensuring compliance with the RICS Valuation Standards and other statutory guidelines.

The areas of our expertise and purposes for which our reports are provided include the following:

• Loan security and Bank finance - we are approved Panel Valuers to most leading UK lenders.
• Development appraisals on new build and conversion projects for developers.
• Advice given on value prior to acquisition.
• Company and financial accounting.
• Receivership and Liquidation valuations.
• Pension Fund valuations including SIPP valuations.
• Taxation requiring valuations including for Capital Gains, Probate and Inheritance tax purposes.
• Charity Act including acquisition and disposal valuations.
• Matrimonial settlements.
• Residential leasehold extension and/or freehold purchase.
• Dilapidation's - s.18 Landlord Reversion.

Our RICS qualified staff provide practical advice on rent reviews and lease renewals, seeking to secure best terms for the client at all times.

We aim to work with the client on a strategy in advance of the due date, within the clients brief, aligning with their aspirations having regard to market conditions. Our market knowledge, transaction database and research ensures that we correctly understand market levels and assists in succeeding in negotiations.

Our clients include property companies, large institutions, local authorities, local and national retailers, investors and single local businesses.

Our service includes:

• Measured survey, lease analysis, rental assessment and recommendations.
• Commencing rent review/lease renewal procedures, serving notices in conjunction with legal representatives.
• Negotiations with the opposing party, liaising with the client throughout.
• Settlement recommendations and advice on potential Court referral or Professional Arbitration.
• Acting as Expert Witness where cases are referred to Court or Professional Arbitration.

Correct interpretation of the rent review assumptions is critical in providing the appropriate advice and in conducting negotiations. When advising on lease renewals, every aspect of the lease is reviewed, not only the rental level, to ensure best possible terms for the client.

The vast majority of non residential properties attract the payment of business rates charged and collected by the Local Authority. These are calculated based on a rental assessment of each property called the Rateable Value, which can be challenged.

We offer advice to clients who seek to reduce their rates liability.

Our service includes:

• Detailed inspection and initial advice.
• Service and negotiation of appeals seeking reductions on rates liability.
• Recommendations on the outcome of negotiations.
• Potential appeals to Tribunal.
• Advice/appeals on permanent or temporary changes in circumstances, such as for example road closure or fire damage.
• Advice/appeals on the splitting or merging of assessments.

Any changes in circumstances adversely affecting your occupation can often be valid grounds in seeking to reduce the assessment and reducing your annual rates bill - if in doubt, seek our advice.

Property litigation is now far more prevalent and disputes about property use, rights and ownership require the expertise of RICS qualified property valuers.

Our experienced team of Surveyors are well versed in advising on property related disputes, fulfilling the role of Expert Witness in compliance of Court and Tribunal protocol. We can be appointed by one party to a dispute or act as a single Joint Expert between the parties.

Our service includes:

• Inspection of subject properties, consideration of the issues and initial advice.
• Production of compliant Expert Witness reports for Court or Tribunal use.
• Discussions with the opposing Expert, in the latter stages to narrow issues in dispute.
• Full liaison with the instructing party throughout.
• Attendance in Court/Tribunal giving Expert Evidence as an Expert Witness.

Our team has experience in dealing with a wide range of both commercial and residential property disputes including on rights of way, extent of land ownership and matrimonial issues. The role of Expert Witness also extends to rent reviews and lease renewals when referred to Court or Arbitration.

We provide advice to Housing Associations and Local Authorities on:

• Site acquisition and value
• Residential market values
• Affordable Housing
• Management and Development
• Property purchase and compensation