Book Reviews

Dilapidations and Service Charge
Disputes: A Practical Guide

Publisher: Estates Gazette Books

Authors: Simon Edwards,
Patrick Stell & Keith Firn

Price: £36.99

Edition: 1st Edition
(October 2008)

ISBN:
978-0-7282-0554-3

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During the current economic climate, it is
inevitable that dilapidations and service charge disputes will
increase.  It is therefore fortuitous that Estates Gazette Books has
published Dilapidations and Service Charge Disputes: A Practical
Guide which aims to provide both a practical and accessible guide for
surveyors, lawyers, estate managers, landlords and tenants.  To my
mind, it achieves this aim with considerable ease.

Written by three experienced
surveyors, one of whom was previously a lawyer, Dilapidations and
Service Charge Disputes: A Practical Guide is essentially three books
in one.  Firstly, it deals with the thorny issue of service charges
and their obvious areas for dispute.  Secondly, it deals with
dilapidations claims including the preparation and service of the schedule
dilapidations and the relevant (and complex) legal issues.  Thirdly,
it explains the advisors' role and the relevance of his or her likely role
as an expert witness.  By separating the material in this way, the
authors ensure the text is a handy and concise guide for all of its target
readers.

Dilapidations and Service
Charge Disputes: A Practical Guide is written in an accessible and
engaging way.  Its style of fairly short paragraphs means that
complex points can be quickly understood.  The reader's understanding
is also aided by the flow charts (which are extremely useful) and a sample
dilapidations schedule.  In future editions the authors may, however,
consider improving the index (which is fairly limited) and the
cross-referencing so points can be looked up quickly.

For anyone looking for a
straight-forward and accessible explanation of the key issues in
dilapidation and service charge disputes, Dilapidations and Service
Charge Disputes: A Practical Guide is a fantastic solution.  By
explaining the key issues succinctly, the reader can quickly gain a feel
for the topic and the issues.  Whilst some practitioners
(particularly lawyers) may feel there is not enough reference to case law
to support the authors' statements, it will be an extremely useful text
whilst, at the same time, vital for more inexperienced
practitioners.

Reviewed on 8 November
2008

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