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Founded in 2002, Beckett and Kay is a specialist firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors based in the City of London.  

The firm’s two partners, Richard Kay FRICS and Henrietta Hammonds FRICS FCIArb, specialise in complex and high-value disputes where the central question is the impact of an event or change on property value. This frequently involves hypothetical valuation scenarios, including: 

• leasehold reform valuations (including collective enfranchisement and lease extension under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024) 

• valuation in dilapidations claims (including diminution valuations, sometimes called section 18 valuations) calculated by reference to the damage to the landlord’s reversion, under the statutory cap of section 18(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927; and alternative measure of loss diminution valuations in Scottish cases 

• valuation for the modification or discharge of restrictive covenants under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 

• other residential and commercial cases where damages are assessed by reference to diminution in value 

Although based in London, the firm works nationally (including in dilapidations claims in Scotland). The majority of our work comes via recommendations by solicitors, barristers and building surveyors, working across both residential and commercial property. 

Both partners are experienced expert witnesses, having between them given evidence in the High Court, County Court, Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), and in private expert determination and arbitration proceedings.  

Our website contains some (we hope!) interesting and informative articles, case studies and resources about our specialisms and interests, so please do have a look around.