End-of-lease dilapidation works can involve removing tenant alterations, reinstating layouts, opening ceilings, lifting finishes and altering services. In older London commercial premises, that can create an asbestos-information requirement before intrusive strip-out or reinstatement begins.
Start with the schedule of works
Identify exactly what the dilapidations or reinstatement package will disturb. This may include partitions, suspended ceilings, floor finishes, service routes, fire protection, fixtures, plant connections and previous fit-out layers.
Review the asbestos register and surveys
Compare existing asbestos records with the proposed strip-out scope. Check exclusions, inaccessible spaces and whether earlier surveys were intended only for normal management. Areas hidden behind tenant finishes may not have been investigated previously.
Why management information may not be enough
A management survey is intended to support normal occupation and foreseeable maintenance. Where dilapidation works will intrusively disturb the fabric, affected areas may need a suitably scoped refurbishment or demolition survey before work.
Coordinate landlord, tenant and contractor information
Determine which party holds the building asbestos records and ensure the project team receives information relevant to the works. Our guide on asbestos information for contractors explains what should be communicated before work starts.
Check the final survey against the strip-out scope
Before contractors mobilise, compare the report with the final schedule. Relevant no-access areas or survey limitations should be resolved rather than discovered during demolition or reinstatement.
Dilapidations asbestos checklist
- Define the strip-out and reinstatement scope.
- Collect current asbestos records.
- Check concealed and previously inaccessible areas.
- Match survey scope to intrusive works.
- Resolve findings before disturbance.
- Provide relevant information to contractors.
- Update asbestos records after the works where appropriate.
Planning commercial dilapidations in London?
Tell us the property type, work scope and existing asbestos information so the survey enquiry can be considered around the actual strip-out or reinstatement project.