Current Property Issues Spring 2026

KEY SUBJECTS

• RECENT PROPERTY CASES UNPACKED: LESSONS FOR SURVEYORS IN PRACTICE
• THE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN LEGISLATION AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE PROPERTY VALUATION PROCESS
• COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REFORM: WHAT SURVEYORS NEED TO KNOW NOW
• DILAPIDATIONS: PRICING COST OR CHASING VALUE?
• IS PROPERTY MEASUREMENT SIMPLE? – THE RICS CODE OF MEASURING PRACTICE 7TH EDITION
• SPOTLIGHT ON PRACTICE: MARKET TRENDS, LEGAL PITFALLS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO CONSIDER

SPEAKERS

Sarah Thompson-Copsey, Non-Practising Solicitor, Legal Lecturer and Trainer

Nick French, Real Estate Valuation Theurgy, Property Education

Derek S Bruce, Academic and Chartered Surveyor, City St George’s, University of London

Tom Pugh, FRICS – Head of Measured Surveys, Director at Hollis

Suzanne Gill, Partner, Wedlake Bell LLP

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

09.30am CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

RECENT PROPERTY CASES UNPACKED: LESSONS FOR SURVEYORS IN PRACTICE

A practical review of recent commercial property and landlord and tenant cases, which will include:

• Problems with relief from forfeiture: Mentmore Golf v Gaymer; Signature v Derwent
• Rights of Light – Waldram, s203 and more: Cooper v Ludgate
• Neighbours and nuisance – footballs and grease: HLS Leisure v Darville; Bakhaty v Hampshire
• Adverse possession and leases: Booler v Yousaf; Relins v Bede House
• Easements – acquiring and abusing: Partick-Hiley v Udal; Kingdom Hall Trust v Davies

Sarah Thompson-Copsey, Non-Practising Solicitor, Legal Lecturer and Trainer

THE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN LEGISLATION AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE PROPERTY VALUATION PROCESS

1)           Valuation in the new world of technology – The permitted use of AI and AVMs in Property Valuations

AI is ubiquitous in all aspects of our lives. It offers time-saving systems and frameworks to aid valuers with valuations. AI is not prohibited in valuations when used appropriately but “what is appropriate?” Understanding the role of automation in valuations and valuation reports is essential to providing valuations in accordance with RICS Valuation Standards (The Red Book).

2)           The proposed a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in new commercial leases in England and Wales

The intention of the change in legislation is to create a fairer rental market by allowing rents to fall as well as rise at reviews. The proposal is still at the consultation stage but it will not be retrospective. This will create, for a period of transition, a two-tier market as risks and cash flow certainties will be different between the new and old leases. Valuers need to have the knowledge and skills to value each market correctly.

This talk will look at:

• What is AI and how can it be used appropriately in property valuations
• The importance of confidentiality in Report Writing; AI is based on sharing.
• The need for diligence in undertaking valuations when technology or legislation changes create new cash flows or challenges to process
• Dealing with uncertainty and risk in all valuations

Nick French, Real Estate Valuation Theurgy, Property Education

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REFORM: WHAT SURVEYORS NEED TO KNOW NOW

Commercial property is suddenly at the top of the government’s agenda. This session will look at the practical impact of:

• The ban on upwards only rent review: what do we know, how will it work?
• The latest news as to reforming the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954: what will it mean for practitioners?
• Some of the 54 Act tricky issues – tenancies at will, holding over, licences, oral periodic tenancies
• The Law Commission’s proposals as to AGAs, GAGAs and pre-emption rights: why are they so important in practice?

Sarah Thompson-Copsey, Non-Practising Solicitor, Legal Lecturer and Trainer

DILAPIDATIONS: PRICING COST OR CHASING VALUE?

Dilapidations have long stood at the crossroads between law, valuation, and building practice — but the real question remains: are we pricing cost, or are we chasing value? This talk will look at the following:

• Appreciating the key mission of the yielding up clause
• Interpreting key lease words – decoration, disrepair, defect and dilapidation
• Determining the boundaries of the dilapidations’ liability
• Explaining whether the liability can cover replacement and improvement
• Handling over exaggerated demands
• Appraising some recent issues in court cases
• Reviewing the dispute arena and expert witness role in relation to dilapidations
• Contrasting the way courts in the UK determine liability

Derek S Bruce, Academic and Chartered Surveyor, City St George’s, University of London

IS PROPERTY MEASUREMENT SIMPLE? – THE RICS CODE OF MEASURING PRACTICE 7TH EDITION

Over recent years we have seen the introduction of IPMS and now the RICS will be publishing an update to the Code of Measuring Practice (CoMP) to the 7^th Edition. This session will include:

• Evolution of Measurement Standards
• Overview of the changes in CoMP
• Provide real-world examples and application of the Code
• Practical Implications for surveyors
• An Overview of IPMS and when it could be used.

Tom Pugh, FRICS – Head of Measured Surveys, Director at Hollis

SPOTLIGHT ON PRACTICE: MARKET TRENDS, LEGAL PITFALLS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO CONSIDER

A spotlight on a range of market trends, and the important issues you should know.

• Managed solutions for space. What are the options, opportunities and potential pitfalls?
• Furnished offices: the challenges of chattels.
• Environmental improvement. How does the looming EPC deadline play out in practice?
• Overage and Clawbacks – protection against a quick turn
• Reasonableness in the context of service charges. How does the law specify how costs should be allocated and when can that allocation change?

Suzanne Gill, Partner, Wedlake Bell

5.00pm CLOSE OF PROCEEDINGS