A slope / incline / gradient allowing water to drain away. It is important to the design of effective flat roofs and external ground surfaces.

A window above a door or window. Traditionally arranged in a ‘fan’ design; however, rectangular shaped fanlights are commonplace. Also sometimes referred to as a ‘borrowed light’, the purpose is to bring natural light from habitable rooms to unlit spaces (typically landings / corridors).

On the outside of a building, this board is fitted horizontally along the eaves. It is usually used as a backboard to gutter installations.

Lightweight boarding which was often used for ceilings, or as insulation in loft spaces. It is now considered a fire risk and some fibreboard products contain asbestos.

Mortar used to seal a join, most commonly between the roof and brickwork (walls / chimney stacks). In modern building, lead flashings are now preferred as they are more tolerant of differential movement between the two abutting surfaces.

The final schedule of dilapidations is served after the lease has ended. The timescales for dealing with the dilapidations process is defined under the dilapidations protocol and RICS Dilapidations Guidance Notes.

Fit-out costs are usually incurred by a tenant prior to being able to occupy new accommodation. Fit-outs will often include everything from installing cabling through to purchasing furniture.

Rateable values are generally subject to a revaluation every five years. This ensures that relative changes in markets between locations and property types is properly reflected in the rating list and not allowed to become outdated. Our market coverage ensures that we have proper representation and coverage in all sectors; our rating expertise is supported by good market intelligence.

Rent subject to fixed uplifts at an agreed level on agreed dates stipulated within the lease; or rent subject to a contracted minimum uplift at the specified review date (often at annual or five yearly intervals).

Large natural stones used as a practical, attractive floor, inside or out.

This is a weatherproof cover to a construction joint detail – typically found between roofs / walls / chimneys. Usually, flashings are of sheet metal (normally lead) although modern alternatives are available.

A flat roof is not perfectly flat, but laid to a very shallow gradient / fall. Flat roofs are commonly surfaced with layers of felt, although modern polymer single-ply products are also available. Older flat roofs can be found to have lead / metal sheet coverings or hot-applied asphalt surfaces applied. Flat roofs require regular maintenance and can fail without warning.

Mortar slope at the top of a chimney stack, surrounding the base of a chimney pot. It stops rain from entering the interior of the flue and also reduces saturation of the upper brickwork.

A common and traditional building method. Walls are constructed by alternating the placement of bricks within each layer(course): short edge outwards, long edge outwards, short edge outwards etc.

The hollow central shaft within a chimney which smoke rises through; or a pipe which serves a heat producing appliance e.g. central heating boiler.

A tubular product usually used to line an older chimney where the masonry might have deteriorated. Flue liners are usually made from metal. Although not necessary in all cases, they are essential for appliances producing a high heat output i.e. wood burning stoves.

Alternative name for a foundation, commonly referenced to a brick or stone base to a wall within the ground. Usually shallow.

When a business tenant is in rent arrears or is in serious breach of the lease terms, then the commercial landlord will in most cases have the right to forfeit - the right to summarily end the tenancy. The landlord must, however, comply with section 146(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925. There is no automatic right to forfeit a lease unless the lease contains specific provisions by way of a clause setting out the grounds on which the landlord may forfeit. The landlord's actions must indicate that he intends to end the lease, so actions to the contrary, like accepting rent, will remove the right to forfeit. There are two main methods of doing this: (1) by peaceable re-entry to the premises or (2) by issuing court proceedings for possession.

Laid underground, beneath the walls of buildings to provide a structural base. Usually concrete but may be brick or stone in older buildings. There is a multitude of foundation types that can be very specialist according to the design of the building, local ground and environmental conditions.

The most superior legal title to the ownership of premises - legally referred to as "fee simple absolute in possession" - as opposed to long leasehold (or ground lease) which will often run for 100 years or more, and leasehold (usually the occupational lease interest). For an estate to be a freehold it must possess two qualities: immobility (property must be land or some interest issuing out of or annexed to land); and ownership of it must be of an indeterminate duration.

The owner of the freehold interest.

A trench filled with gravel. They are usually found against walls and are a simple/cheap way to reduce damp due to high ground levels.

Internal: the area of wall above a picture rail.

An indentation in the bedding face of a brick. The idea is to reduce its weight and assist bond between the brick and mortar bed. The indentation is usually a ‘V’ shape and the terms ‘frog down’ or ‘frog up’ may be used to describe the orientation of a brick.

FRI is a term used to describe a lease where the tenant is responsible for all repairs and for insuring. However, the term also applies to the liability for payment of these costs, known as effective FRI. FRI leases therefore include those where the landlord pays for external repairs and recovers the cost via service charge or contribution to "shared" expenditure. Also, where, as is most common, the landlord maintains the insurance and recovers the cost of the premium from the tenant, usually as further rent.