If you own a leasehold flat, your lease will almost always require the freeholder's written consent before you make structural or significant alterations. This consent is called a licence to alter. The freeholder or managing agent will normally ask for drawings showing exactly what you plan to change, and we prepare them.
A licence to alter is the formal written consent from a freeholder, allowing a leaseholder to carry out alterations that the lease would otherwise restrict. Typical examples are removing or moving internal walls, reconfiguring a kitchen or bathroom, installing new windows, or extending into a loft.
Carrying out work without consent can put you in breach of your lease and cause problems when you sell or remortgage, so it is worth getting the licence in place before work starts.
The freeholder and their surveyor need to understand the work well enough to decide whether it affects the structure, the other flats or the common parts. Our drawings usually include existing and proposed floor plans, sections where needed, and notes on structural changes, new services, floor finishes and sound insulation.
Where walls are removed or openings are formed, we arrange a structural engineer so the freeholder can see how the building will be supported.
A licence to alter is a private consent under your lease. It does not replace planning permission or building regulations approval. Many internal alterations to flats do not need planning permission, but structural work, new bathrooms and changes to fire escape routes usually need building regulations approval.
Because we prepare planning and building regulations drawings as well, one survey can cover all the consents your project needs.
We survey the flat, usually within 7 days of your enquiry, and prepare the drawings. You or your solicitor send them to the freeholder or managing agent, who may appoint their own surveyor to review them. If they have questions or ask for changes, we update the drawings until they are ready to approve.
Most freeholders charge a fee for reviewing an application and preparing the licence. We cannot control that fee, but clear and complete drawings help avoid rounds of queries.
Sources: GOV.UK: leasehold property; GOV.UK: Approved Documents (Part A structure, Part B fire safety and Part E sound).
Usually, yes. Most leases require the landlord's written consent for structural or significant alterations. Check your lease, or ask your solicitor, before you start work.
No. A licence to alter is consent under your lease. Planning permission and building regulations approval are separate, and you may need them as well.
Yes. If the freeholder's surveyor raises queries on the drawings, we answer them and revise the drawings where needed.
Yes. Where walls are removed or openings formed, we arrange a structural engineer so the calculations accompany the drawings.
Send the address, the lease details if you have them, and what you want to change.
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