John Byers
Director · BSc (Hons) MRICS
A founding director of the practice in 1994, John joined the original firm in 1988 and brings over thirty-five years of building surveying and valuation experience across Central London.
About the Practice
Three decades of trusted advice.
01 — Our Practice
"With a unique mix of building surveying and valuation expertise we are capable of dealing with a wide variety of residential and commercial property issues."
LBB Chartered Surveyors is a highly regarded, award-winning and well-established firm, having been in practice since 1994. We operate throughout the United Kingdom, however, being situated on Tanner Street near Tower Bridge, we are ideally positioned to serve Central London and the South East.
The practice has roots that pre-date its current structure. John Byers joined the original firm in 1988, with the present partnership formed in 1994. Originally based in Bloomsbury, we relocated to our current Tanner Street offices in 2010. John was joined as a Director by Justin Bennett in 1999 and, most recently, by Iain Pendle in 2013.
Originally LBB was a mixed practice of surveyors and valuers advising on a wide variety of residential and commercial property, and for some years acting as commercial agents and managing a substantial portfolio on behalf of clients. Today the practice is far more specialist, focused exclusively on valuation work and building surveying.
LBB are members of ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) and are Regulated by the RICS.
02 — Our Services
A practice that combines valuation work and building surveying.
Arising out of the specialisations of John Byers and Justin Bennett, and with the addition of Iain Pendle, LBB has developed particular expertise in residential valuation, lease extensions and enfranchisement, property disputes, contract administration and party wall awards.
Valuation
Leasehold reform valuations, capital gains tax, ATED and inheritance tax matters. Justin Bennett also acts in cases of professional negligence on behalf of valuers and solicitors, and as Single or Joint Expert in matrimonial proceedings.
Building Surveying
Pre-acquisition surveys for all types of property, dilapidations, contract administration, CDM, party walls and licences to alter. Iain Pendle specialises in Party Wall matters; John Byers advises on service charges, dilapidations and building disputes.
Expert Witness
Acting regularly as Expert Witnesses and Advisers in Tribunal and Court — including lease extensions, enfranchisement, valuation disputes and complex residential matters across Central London and the South East.
03 — What guides us
Principles refined over thirty years.
Integrity
Independent, candid advice — never compromised by external interest.
Judgement
Three decades of front-line experience inform every recommendation we make.
Craft
A meticulous, considered approach to surveying and valuation work.
Discretion
Confidential counsel for private clients, lenders and institutions alike.
04 — Directors
The directors behind every commission.
Everybody at LBB works hard to ensure clients receive excellent advice and service. Our professional staff are educated to degree standard and most are either RICS-qualified or working towards qualification. Our valuers are RICS Registered Valuers; John Byers is an RICS Accredited Expert Witness; and both Justin Bennett and John Byers are Associates of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Fellows of the RICS.
Justin Bennett
Director · BSc (Hons) MRICS
Justin joined as Director in 1999. His specialist expertise in lease extensions, enfranchisement and complex residential valuations is widely recognised across the leasehold sector.
Iain Pendle
Director · BSc (Hons) MRICS
Iain became a Director in 2013, leading on building surveys, party wall matters and dilapidations for institutional and private clients across London and the South East.
05 — Notable Cases
A track record in Tribunal and Court.
- 2000
Justin Bennett acted in Willingale v Globalgrange Ltd [2000] 2 EGLR 55 — concerning the price and terms following the landlord's failure to serve a counter-notice.
- 2007
Justin Bennett acted in Glen International v Triplerose Ltd (CA) [2007] 2 EGLR 81 — relating to the correct address for service of a Section 42 initial notice.
- 2007
John Byers was instructed as Expert in the reported case of Ravensgate Estates Ltd v Horizon Housing Group Ltd [2007] EWCA Civ 1368.
- 2010
Justin Bennett was appointed Expert Witness at the Central London County Court (before HHJ Marshall QC) in Anstruther v Vidas (2010) — a case involving multiple valuation issues including dilapidations and enfranchisement claims on a substantial mixed-use building in South Kensington.
06 — Industry Awards
Recognised across the enfranchisement sector.
News on the Block — Enfranchisement & Right to Manage Awards
- 2016Winner — John Byers, Expert Witness of the Year (News on the Block Enfranchisement & RTM Awards)
- 2013Winner — Justin Bennett, Expert Witness of the Year
- 2013Highly Commended — Justin Bennett, Valuer of the Year
- 2013Finalist — Valuers of the Year
- 2011Finalist — Valuers of the Year
- 2009Finalist — Valuers of the Year
07 — Publications
Featured commentary on the issues that matter.
Evening Standard
Section 5 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 — Right to First Refusal (JLB).
News on the Block
Enfranchisement, fire insurance valuations, service charge disputes, lease extension valuation, planned maintenance and Section 20 notices.
Flat Living
Purchasing a property in a block of flats and lease extensions.
Hertfordshire Business Independent
Dilapidations and lease extensions.
Director CVs for John Byers and Justin Bennett are available on request — please get in touch via the contact details below.