Following our hugely popular webinar, Responding to CPSE Enquiries – the Pitfalls, which attracted 3,500 registrants, Richard Snape, Head of Legal Training, joins host Lizzie Collin to answer the questions our audience most wanted addressed.

Commercial Property Standard Enquiries (CPSEs) are standard pre-contract forms prepared by the British Property Federation and used in UK commercial property transactions, requiring sellers or landlords to disclose key information about title, the property’s condition and liabilities to ensure transparency before exchange.

This Q&A-style episode tackles the practical and often contentious issues that arise when responding to CPSEs, including the risks of using “not aware” responses, whether sellers must highlight title defects in auction packs, and how far a seller’s duty of enquiry extends. The discussion also explores fire risk assessments, asbestos obligations, vacant properties, and the interaction between CPSE replies and potential misrepresentation liability.

The episode further examines recent Building Safety Act requirements, including higher-risk buildings, safety case reports, leaseholder deeds of certificate, and common misconceptions around listed buildings and EPC exemptions. Throughout, the focus remains firmly on risk management as a failure to respond correctly to CPSE Enquiries may result in a negligence claim.

Relevant cases: 

First Tower Trustees v CDS (Superstores International) Limited [2018]

Sykes v Taylor-Rose [2004]