Overview
A schedule of condition records the adjoining owner's property before notifiable works begin. It is one of the most useful documents in the party wall process because it helps distinguish new damage from pre-existing defects.
The best schedules are not just photographic and not just written. They combine both.
Photographic schedules
Photographs are quick and useful. They provide clear visual evidence and can show the general condition of walls, ceilings, floors, windows and external areas.
However, photographs have limits. They can miss hairline cracks, uneven surfaces, sticking doors, floor movement or subtle defects. Close-up photographs can also be hard to understand later if they are not properly labelled.
Written schedules
Written descriptions are slower to prepare, but they add detail and context. A good written schedule can record:
- hairline cracks and their location;
- whether doors and windows operate properly;
- uneven floors or walls;
- staining, damp marks or distortion;
- the relationship between defects in different rooms.
Written schedules are also easier to use during a final inspection because the surveyor can compare each item methodically.
Why both are needed
Photographs show. Written descriptions explain. Used together, they create a clearer and more reliable record.
A photograph may prove that a crack existed. A written note may explain its width, length, position, direction and whether it was open or historic. That level of detail can make a damage dispute much easier to resolve.
Conclusion
A photographic-only schedule is usually not enough for a proper party wall record. A written schedule supported by photographs is the better approach. It protects both owners and gives the surveyors a reliable benchmark if damage is alleged later.