Licence for Alterations for Apartment
Contents |
[edit] Do I need a Licence for Alterations?
As an apartment/flat owner, you have likely heard of a Deed of Variation. We find many property owners are confused about the difference between this Deed and a Licence for Alterations for an apartment. They are actually part of the same process. Getting a Deed of Variation and Licence for Alterations for an apartment both are same.
Even though you purchased the apartment and have a long leasehold interest, meaning you own the property, you will be bound by the lease terms, both from a legal perspective and contractually, your ownership of the lease will expire and revert to the Freeholder upon the expiration of your lease. This means you cannot undertake property changes as a Leaseholder prior to obtaining consent from your Freeholder.
[edit] What If I don’t have a licence for alterations?
“What happens if you didn’t realise that you required the permission of your freeholder prior to making changes?”
If you are a tenant with a particularly long lease, it is unlikely the landlord would claim a fundamental breach of contract in an attempt to terminate your contract. Over the years, a frequent outcome is the courts awarding damages to the landlord, these large costs are best avoided, the simple way to avoid this is ensuring you have a licence to alter in place.
A common issue that arises, when the leaseholder puts the property on the market is that during the conveyancing, a missing licence to alter will be flagged, as a leaseholder, you have two options, seek a retrospective licence to alter or provide indemnity insurance to the buyer. On rare occasions, the freeholder could inform your mortgage provider, which can cause issues.
[edit] Types of changes likely require a licence to alter
Anything that changes the fundamental structure of the property or affects service provisions usually requires a licence to alter.
The most common are:
- Changing windows
- Removing structural walls
- Changing the internal layout of rooms
- Structural changes
- Changing toilet or bathroom locations
- Adding a new heating system or changing an old one
- Flooring changes, i.e. from carpet to wooden floors
The requirement for a licence to alter or licence for alterations will be dependant, on the lease and the clauses within it. The legal lease standard has changed over time, so ensure you are aware of the facts, within your own.
The requirement for a licence to alter or licence for alterations usually surprises flat owners, if you require formal consent, you must ensure that you get good legal advice, as early as possible.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Betterment.
- Building an extension.
- Commonhold
- Conversion.
- Dilapidations protocol.
- Dilapidations.
- F10 notification.
- Freehold.
- How to build a porch.
- Land law.
- Lease Negotiations - Tenants Checklist.
- Leasehold.
- License to alter.
- Property disrepair and landlord liabilities.
- Quantified demand.
- Renovation.
- Rent-free period.
- Repairs and optional improvements.
- Restoration.
- Reversion.
- Sample retail lease.
- Schedule of dilapidations.
- Scott schedule.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.