25 March 2026
SHW Complete Pre-Acquisition Survey @ West Sussex
Building Consultancy, Business Space, SHW News
SHW’s Building Consultancy Department was commissioned to carry out a pre-acquisition survey for a terrace of industrial units and the associated land in West Sussex. The survey was requested on behalf of a client with the intention of acquiring the freehold interest in the property.
Client’s Strategic Considerations
The client was evaluating a strategic purchase of the light industrial units from the current owner. Prompt and informed advice was required to highlight any matters that could influence the decision to proceed with the freehold acquisition.
Inspection Findings
Upon inspection, the team identified construction-related issues resulting in defects across the units. Additionally, a considerable list of disrepair and potential health and safety concerns around the site were reported. Budget costings were provided for addressing these matters in the short, medium, and long term.
Impact on Acquisition
The findings from the survey were crucial, enabling the client to negotiate the purchase price with full knowledge of the property’s condition.
Lease and Dilapidations Summary
As part of the pre-acquisition survey, SHW prepared a comprehensive summary of the leases for the tenanted units. During this process, it was discovered that a former tenant’s dilapidations obligations had not been fully met or pursued, posing a significant financial risk to the client if left unaddressed.
Adam Jordan, Partner at SHW comments “The identification of issues with the initial construction and unresolved dilapidations obligations from former tenants is a particularly important finding. Addressing these promptly will not only mitigate financial risks but also strengthen the client’s position during negotiations. It’s essential that these issues are factored into the overall acquisition strategy to ensure best value and a smooth transaction.”
