Professional Arbitration on Court Terms (PACT) is available to the parties to a disputed lease renewal, by agreement, as an alternative to the expense and procedural complexity of a Court determination. Usually only adopted when all other terms of the renewal lease have been agreed, and the parties feel it more appropriate to have the question of rent determined by a surveyor who is an expert in the field/class of property concerned, than a judge.

A hard brick/concrete block usually placed below the end bearing of a beam, to spread load on a wall.

Low, protective wall found along the edge of a bridge, roof, balcony etc.

A gutter placed behind a parapet or valley (usually hidden). Typically box-profile, can be lined with felt, lead or asphalt. Requires regular maintenance and cleaning.

Part 36 offers are offers to settle a claim and can be made by both a claimant and defendant in a legal dispute. They relate to this section of the Civil Procedure Rules which govern court action. Part 36 offers are usually made ‘without prejudice except as to costs’ and are usually made by solicitors as they have to comply with the strict requirements of Part 36 rules of court to be effective.

A dividing wall between rooms, typically non-load bearing.

A wall that is shared between/separates two properties. It is usually built at or on the boundary line. Party walls disputes can occur between neighbours when contemplating construction works. For this reason the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 exists to establish rights and responsibilities for property owners affected by construction works to, or near a party wall.

A party wall surveyor is appointed in relation to the condition of, or work to, a party wall. This arises when works are planned to adjoining property and impinge on the party wall. The surveyor is independent; they produce a set of guidelines in respect of the work and its progress, a record of condition of the party wall, photographs and any relevant drawings. This is a statutory process with the advantage of removing partiality from the process and resolving what would otherwise be an ongoing dispute between adjoining owners.

A vertical column of masonry built from a wall, used to strengthen a wall/support a weight.

Board created by sandwiching plaster between paper. It is often used to line ceilings and partition walls. In some parts of the world it is known as ‘drywall’ and is popular due to its fire-resistant properties.

Board made from thin layers of wood (‘plies’) which are glued together. The layers are laid in alternating right angles, rotating the grain to add strength. Specialist grades of plywood are available for various applications i.e. exterior grade, marine grade.

The way mortar is finished at a joint between bricks, stones etc.

A relatively uncommon but serious pest which can cause damage to wood including structural timbers. As it bores, it reduced wood to a flour-like powder.

A premium is the price paid for a lease, in the open market, where one tenant assigns its interest to another, replacement tenant. See also surrender premium and reverse premium.

A property investment regarded as the best in its class and location, determined by occupier and investor sentiment. Typically, a modern or recently refurbished building, finished to a high specification, well-situated in a commercially strong location and let to a strong covenant.

This is the most common form of buying/selling a property, involving a binding private contract for sale between the parties. A sale of a property or investment opportunity by 'private treaty' allows the vendor more control over the sale process and any specific conditions that apply. However, the completion of the sale can take longer than other routes, such as auction.

The legal doctrine whereby the contractual relationship between the original parties to a lease (i.e., property contract) remains in place, notwithstanding any assignment(s) of the tenant's interest.

An ‘interested party’ (usually the owner or occupier) is permitted to make a proposal to alter the rating list where they are dissatisfied with the level of assessment or any other part of their entry within the list. The grounds of a valid proposal will define the extent of any case brought before a hearing and must be carefully served. A proposal can usually be made within the term of the rating list, and where the matter remains unresolved it becomes an appeal and may proceed before the valuation tribunal for a hearing.

With property acquisitions, a prospective purchaser will normally incur acquisition or purchase costs, which relate to legal and surveyor fees, VAT and stamp duty.

A horizontal beam which is usually provided at approximate mid-span to a series of rafters. The purpose of a purlin is to stop the rafters from sagging.