Dilapidations are the difference between the level of repair a property is left in at the end of a lease and the condition in which it should have been left, in according to the terms of the lease.

The average cost for a retail lease last year was £21 a square foot. This is a large expense, but your best chance of limiting that liability is before you even sign the lease.

Here are 10 tips for keeping any costs as low as possible.

1. Agree a favourable repairing and yielding up clause in the lease. It does not matter what condition the property is in when you take it over – it’s what condition you agree to hand it back in.

2. Do not agree to reinstate alterations from your fit-out.

3. Take photos of the condition of the Property at the start and agree to maintain the property to this level.

4. Have a repair and maintenance program whilst you are the tenant.

5. Talk to the Landlord as the lease nears its end to see what the Landlord expects from you. It is always cheaper for you to do the work rather than leave it to the Landlord.

6. Get estimates of any works required.

7. If the Landlord is not being reasonable, you will need to instruct a specialist dilapidations surveyor. A general surveyor will not be sufficient.

8. Check to see if the Landlord intends to redevelop the property. If he does, this can limit how much you have to pay.

9. Whatever happens, make sure that you agree your liability with the Landlord before the end of the lease. Otherwise the Landlord can instruct his expensive contractors and charge you rent for the time it takes him to put right the property.

10. Talk to Sue Shaw-Toomey at Toomey Legal Limited before you sign a lease!

Sue can be contacted at the Corbridge Business Centre on 01434 636084 or at sue@toomeylegal.co.uk.

Visit toomeylegal.co.uk , call, or email now.