Vitiate
To vitiate is the act of impairing or voiding the effect of something else. In terms of buildings and construction this may be an action, failure of an action or a factor that has the potential to invalidate a contract or specific element of a contract or agreement tis making it void. For example through fraud, misrepresentation, legal capacity and so on.
For example if an insured person fails to disclose relevant material facts or misrepresents a case to an an insurer before the insurance policy is issued it may vitiate the policy, thus making it invalid. If a landlord does of fails to do something to a property that is likely to make a tenant's insurance policy void, the landlord may be liable for reparation costs.
In the case of a force majeure event, it may be ground for and excuse non-performance in a contract, but only for the duration of the event, it does not necessarily void or vitiate the contract in its entirety.
In a construction project variations to a contract, that are agreed upon, may be requested under the correct procedure, variations do not vitiate a contract. The original contract remains in tact and in place, it merely has been adjusted, a vitiated contract is one that is no longer valid and is thus void.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Abortive work in building design and construction.
- Architect's instruction.
- Change control procedure for building design and construction.
- Change order for construction contracts.
- Compensation event.
- Confirmation of verbal instruction.
- Contract sum.
- Extension of time EOT in construction contracts.
- How to prepare a claim for an extension of time.
- Loss and expense.
- Payment for extra work.
- Prime cost sum.
- Provisional sum.
- Relevant event.
- Relevant matter.
- Scope of work.
- Valuation of interim payments.
- Variations in construction contracts.
Featured articles and news
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.