The practice of Lawrence Tattersall Chartered Surveyors was founded in 1950, initially as a specialist rating firm following the decision by the then government to pass the responsibility for compiling the valuation lists from local authorities to the Inland Revenue.
From its inception the firm has practiced solely in the professional field. It specialised, primarily, in the fields of rent reviews, lease renewals and rating - areas which have a close professional affinity; together with valuations for accounting and other purposes including capital gains tax; compensation; planning; capital allowances and the auditing of service charges.
By the late 1980s, the firm's client base had grown substantially and instructions were becoming more and more diverse. In addition to the original fields of expertise, clients were employing the firm to deal with the complementary areas of structural surveys, dilapidations, maintenance issues and valuations for insurance.
In order to strengthen its professional base, and to maintain the firm's objective of keeping clients' property costs to a minimum, the firm incorporated a building surveying practice in 1995, which now forms the foundations of our Building Consultancy department. This amalgamation enabled the firm to offer an enhanced and comprehensive service in respect of all aspects of the use and occupation of land and buildings, and to provide dedicated specialist advice.
The firm acts widely in the non-residential general practice field providing expert advice in relation to commercial, industrial and retail property. The firm is also retained as a central advisor to the Racecourse Association (representing the horse racing industry), and the British Beer and Pub Association (representing the licensed property industry).
The scope of the Building Consultancy department covers the entire client base, but also includes residential property. The firm deals with all areas of technical building problems and related disputes, including expert witness, party wall surveying and boundary disputes.
Since its creation as a sole practitioner firm, the practice has expanded gradually, always broadening its client base and the depth of experience available, whilst striving to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. The firm now has five partners.
The specialist nature of the firm's work in all these fields has led it to act for clients with both large and small property holdings spread right across the country.