Building Consultancy
Party Wall
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 governs works affecting shared walls, boundary structures, and excavations near neighbouring buildings. Works carried out without the correct notices can be unlawful and lead to injunctions, delays, and financial liability.
Adelaide Jones acts for both building owners (those carrying out works) and adjoining owners (those affected), across London.
We provide: serving and responding to party wall notices · party wall awards · schedules of condition · dispute resolution
Notice periods are typically one to two months. Seek advice early to avoid delays to your construction programme.
Landlord and Tenant
Lease disputes — over repairs, rent, alterations, and lease expiry — are common and costly. Without specialist advice, both landlords and tenants are exposed to significant financial risk.
Adelaide Jones advises both sides of the landlord-tenant relationship, across commercial and residential property in London and the UK.
Whether you are interpreting a repairing obligation, responding to a dilapidations schedule, or preparing for a rent review, our surveyors provide clear, experienced advice that protects your position.
Dilapidations
Adelaide Jones prepares and responds to dilapidations schedules for landlords and tenants across London — advising on liability, assessing costs, and negotiating settlements.
A key limitation often overlooked: the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 (Section 18) caps a landlord’s damages at the diminution in value of the reversion caused by the disrepair. We assess every claim in this context — not simply as a list of repairs.
For landlords: interim and terminal schedules · cost assessment · Section 18 valuation · settlement negotiation
For tenants: schedule review · liability assessment · Section 18 defence · pre-expiry works advice
Rent Reviews
A rent review is an opportunity for landlords and a risk for tenants — or vice versa, depending on market conditions. The outcome depends heavily on the quality of surveying advice received.
Adelaide Jones advises commercial landlords and tenants on open market rent reviews, combining rigorous market analysis with experienced negotiation. Where agreement cannot be reached, we represent clients in arbitration and independent expert determination proceedings.
For landlords: rental evidence analysis · trigger notices · negotiation · arbitration representation
For tenants: evidence to challenge proposed increases · counter-notices · negotiation · arbitration representation
Lease Renewals
Commercial lease renewals are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which gives qualifying business tenants a statutory right to renew — subject to specific grounds for landlord opposition. The process involves formal notices, strict timetables, and, if unresolved, court proceedings.
Adelaide Jones advises landlords and tenants on 1954 Act renewals, working alongside solicitors to provide the surveying evidence needed to support or defend applications.
For landlords: grounds for opposition · market rent assessment · negotiation · court evidence
For tenants: statutory renewal rights · market rent challenge · lease term negotiation · court evidence
We also advise on lease renewals where the 1954 Act has been contracted out and renewal is a matter of commercial negotiation.
Our Services
Party Wall
Landlord and Tenant
Dilapidations
Our Services Continued
Rent Reviews
Lease Renewals
Study Case
- Architectural Design
- Interior Design
- Garden Design
- Home Technology
- Negotiations
- Full Construction
