Valuation

We regularly liaise with accountants and pension funds to provide up to date property valuation advice for company accounting purposes.  We can also advise on the appropriate market value, market rent and lease terms for properties being acquired in SIPPs or other pension schemes.

We assist developers and landowners within both the commercial and residential sectors, including a number of local authorities and housing associations, along the whole development process, from site appraisal and acquisition through to pricing and marketing of the completed scheme.

Our in-house Building Surveyors are able to assist in cost appraisal and project monitoring.  We also provide advice with regard to Viability Testing in relation to affordable housing provision, CIL and Section 106 Costs.

We can assist with the provision of valuation advice in a broad range of dispute resolution situations, including matrimonial proceedings, easements, rights of way and restrictive covenants on land and the provision of Single Joint Expert reports for legal proceedings/Court purposes.

Under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, qualifying Leaseholders have the right to increase their lease by 90 years.  We would therefore advise all leaseholders to consider an extension of their lease at the earliest opportunity as the shorter the lease the more costly the extension will be.  Leases approaching 80 years remaining warrant particular immediate attention.

Our team will work with you, whether representing landlord or tenant, to achieve the best outcome and will guide you step by step through the lease extension process:

• Providing an initial assessment including a ‘best and worst’ case premium assessment, setting your expectations as to the possible outcome of the negotiations;
• Advising you on procedures and processes and how to make a claim either formally or informally;
• Handling negotiations (if required), dealing with any disputes and agreeing settlement of the price and other terms of the lease;
• Guiding you through the tribunal process should it be necessary.

Our experienced valuers can also assist with leasehold enfranchisement and collective  enfranchisement.In addition to offering advice regarding lease extensions of residential properties we can also assist with the process of leasehold enfranchisement or collective enfranchisement.

This is the collective purchasing of a freehold by a group of tenants made possible by the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act of 1993. As with all lease extensions, our team will work with you and will guide you step by step through the enfranchisement process:

• Helping you to establish if enfranchisement is achievable and how many tenants will need to be involved;
• Providing the ‘best and worst’ case scenario, setting your expectations as to the possible outcome;
• Advising you on procedures and processes;
• Submission of the claim and handling negotiations (if required);
• Agreeing terms of acquisition and seeing the process through to completion.

Our knowledge of the complex legislation, coupled with our considerable experience as expert witnesses ensures that we achieve the best possible results for our clients.

Our Valuation team is on the panel of a number of major High Street banks and other lending institutions.  We provide rational and impartial advice supported by our commercial agency colleagues. All valuations are subject to peer review and dual signature, including at least one Partner.

Our valuers work in partnership with a number of Local Authorities and other public sector institutions in relation to the day to day review/management and maximisation of their property assets.

We can also provide support with valuation advice in advance of the acquisition or disposal of all types of property assets, including advice to charitable and public sector institutions in relation to their statutory obligations/regulatory duties upon sale or letting of their land and property assets.

In conjunction with our in-house building surveying team, we are able to provide advice to both landlord’s and tenants in relation to their obligations and potential dilapidations liabilities at lease end.  An accurate appraisal under Section 18(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 can set a statutory cap on damages.