DENNIS VENN BSc MRICS
DIRECTOR
Date of Birth
23 February 1965
Qualifications
Bsc Degree in Building Surveying
Member of the RICS – December 1989
Pyramus and Thisbe Chair Devon and Cornwall
 CAREER HISTORY
Providing building surveying advice to a national portfolio of Clients in the South West.
Qualified as a Chartered Building Surveyor in London, undertaking Project Management of multi-million pound
project in London and the Home Counties. Salaried Partner with a South East London Practice of Building
Surveyors in 1987 before moving to the South West and is now a Director responsible for Building Surveying.
Chairman of Pyramus and Thisbe Club, Devon and Cornwall Region, an organisation of Party Wall
Professionals.

EXPERIENCE
Building Surveying
Surveys
Experienced in pre-acquisition surveys of commercial premises, industrial and
offices ranging from small individual units to multi-let office buildings and extensive
industrial premises. Survey formats adapted to meet client requirements, be this
as purchaser, leaseholder or investor.
Pre-acquisition surveys of domestic properties ranging from small domestic
through large scale multi-million pound urban properties to large country estates
including including lodges, outbuildings etc associated. Wide range of Grade II
and II* Listed properties inspected, George Lutchens designed properties
(including advising on non-compliant works previously undertaken requiring
rectification).
Survey experience in schedules of condition, Homebuyer formats, and bespoke
building surveys.
Management of planned maintenance inspections and survey programmes of
national portfolios up to 3,500 properties and including preparation of bespoke
software and development of survey brief.
Management of the ongoing asset management, inspection survey and advice on
remedial works for the 30 schools across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.
Managed asset portfolios and undertaken various one off bespoke commissions
for commercial and Local Authority clients.
Undertaken DDA audits and subsequent specification of remedial work or
recommendations to the Client of how to amend delivery of service address issues
of accessibility for all.
Litigation
Undertaken appointment as Single Joint Expert on a variety of building defect,
contract and boundary disputes as well as undertaking appointment via Solicitors
acting for both Claimant and Defendant.
Managed other consultants in multi-disciplined disputes providing single point of
contact for Counsel and solicitors.
Undertaken training with Bond Salon.
Accredited to RICS Dispute Resolution Service.
Appointed in relation to commercial, leisure and domestic building disputes in
relation to contract, cost and workmanship. Also in relation to building defects,
professional negligence, surveys, boundary disputes and Party Wall Matters.
Undertaken informal mediation between parties in building contract disputes and
boundary disputes successfully providing a mutually acceptable resolution.
Experienced in providing evidence in Court and liaising with Counsel and
Solicitors as part of case management.
Chairman of Devon & Cornwall Branch of Pyramus & Thisbe Club (Party Wall
Professionals) as well as a member of the National Council.
Conversant with the CPR 35 requirements and responsibilities to the Court in
undertaking instructions and my responsibilities to both the instructing parties and
the Court.
Provides pragmatic advice and experienced in reviewing the various facets of the
case with instructing solicitors and Counsel.
Negotiated dilapidations with values to £3/4M settlement on behalf of Landlords,
have been able to reduce Landlord claims to £0 on behalf of Tenants. Working
with VH’s valuers and Landlord and Tenant surveyors enables comprehensive
advice to be given in house.
Working with Envoy able to provide comprehensive strategic advice to Landlords
and Tenants as leases near breaks or expiry.
In excess of 25 years in dealing with Party Wall disputes, member of Pyramus
and Thisbe, Chair of Devon and Cornwall Branch. I try to encourage the Building
Owner to provide sufficient information to try and obtain agreement to the work
and avoid the necessity of Award. Experienced in undertaking instruction
subsequent to work starting where Act has been “overlooked” and undertaking
“fire management” of interaction between Owners. As a result of the
developments I have been involved in have provided initial advice on “right to
light matters”.
Project Management
Stripping to bare shell/frame, of 1960s office building. Extending building and
modernising office accommodation (40,000 sq ft/400m²). Creation of Award
winning accommodation readily let by Landlord. Managed from purchase of
building through planning tender and construction to feed back post completion.
Refurbishment of Grade II Listed Oxfordshire country house and outbuildings
from neglected shell to provide multi-million pound refurbishment to create 18
bedroomed private residence for international businessman. Lead multi-disiplined
team of professionals and interior designers.
Refurbishment and extension of large scale various domestic properties to
exacting client requirements in Belgrave, Esher, Blackheath on behalf of amongst
others Lord Sunley, Alan Bond, C&A Family Members.
Under taken Employers Agent role for development of commercial
accommodation for private developers and housing estates for social landlords
Repairs/Refurbishment
/Building Defects
Experienced in working for NHS Trusts, to deliver repair and refurbishment
programmes to specialist needs, with tight budgets and time scales, was
Ravensbourne & Lambeth NHS consultant of choice owing to proven track record
to deliver on time and in budget.
Extensive experience in schools and Further Education. Practical experience in
taking the essence of the requirement, refining this to a detail brief that meets the
schools curriculum aims. Enjoys the challenge of making a little money go further.
Extensive experience in undertaking defect analysis of a variety of construction
types. Commercial approach taken in the options for repair by understanding the
Client’s requirements and use of the building, pragmatic solutions offered, even
to the extent of do nothing.

CONTACT DETAILS
Mobile:
Office:
Direct:
Email:
07967 820784
01752 261811
01752 273837
dvenn@vickeryholman.com