Licence to Alter

Expert negotiation and application services for leaseholders across Greater London

Are you planning alterations to your leasehold property but unsure about the Licence to Alter process? We are specialist property consultants covering the entire Greater London area within the M25, offering expert guidance and negotiation services to secure your Licence to Alter quickly and professionally.

A Licence to Alter is formal written permission from your landlord or freeholder to carry out alterations to your leasehold property. Whether you're planning structural changes, layout modifications, or internal improvements, we navigate this complex process on your behalf with our considerate and professional approach.

We take you through the Licence to Alter process step by step which, combined with our capped fees, offers you complete peace of mind. We handle all the intricate details involved in securing your Licence to Alter, allowing you to concentrate on planning your property improvements more fully.

When Do You Need a Licence to Alter?

Most leasehold properties - whether residential flats or commercial premises - require a Licence to Alter for any alterations beyond basic repairs and decorating. You typically need a Licence to Alter for:

Structural alterations including removing or moving internal walls, creating new doorways, or any changes affecting the building's structure or appearance. Layout changes such as reconfiguring room arrangements, combining rooms, or altering the property's internal layout. Mechanical installations including new heating systems, air conditioning, or significant plumbing relocations. Flooring changes particularly from carpet to hard flooring which may affect noise levels and neighbouring properties.

Extensions and conversions such as loft conversions, basement excavations, or any additions to the property. Window and door replacements which often require freeholder consent even when like-for-like. Bathroom and kitchen relocations when moving these facilities to different areas of the property.

Even seemingly minor alterations can require a Licence to Alter depending on your lease terms. We review your lease carefully to determine exactly what permissions are needed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring full compliance.

How We Secure Your Licence to Alter

Our specialist knowledge of the Licence to Alter process, combined with our considerate and professional approach, means the majority of landlords and freeholders respond positively to the applications we submit on behalf of our clients.

We offer a complete service from start to finish with updates at key moments and strategy consultations as required throughout the Licence to Alter process.

Initial consultation and lease review where we examine your lease terms to determine the specific Licence to Alter requirements and identify any potential issues early in the process.

Application preparation including coordinating with your architect, engineer, or other professionals to compile comprehensive plans, drawings, and specifications that meet your freeholder's requirements.

Formal application submission where we prepare and submit your Licence to Alter application with all necessary documentation, ensuring compliance with your lease terms and relevant legislation.

Negotiation and correspondence as we liaise directly with your landlord, freeholder, or their managing agents, addressing any concerns or queries that arise during the Licence to Alter assessment.

Licence finalisation where we review the draft Licence to Alter document, negotiate any unreasonable conditions, and ensure the final licence protects your interests while meeting the freeholder's requirements.

Ongoing support throughout your alteration works, including liaison with inspections and ensuring compliance with the Licence to Alter terms.

Our Fixed Fee Licence to Alter Service

We offer a fixed fee which is capped regardless of the amount of time ultimately spent on your Licence to Alter application. Our view is that we should be able to effectively appraise the work involved and offer an appropriate fixed fee quote. If your Licence to Alter process requires more time than we quoted for, we absorb that additional time at no cost to you.

We believe that once the stress of fees is removed from the equation, we are able to have a more open and transparent relationship with you without you worrying if additional emails and conversations about your Licence to Alter will be charged for.

Our Licence to Alter service includes all correspondence with landlords, freeholders, and their representatives, preparation and review of all application documents, negotiation of reasonable terms and conditions, and guidance throughout the entire process until your Licence to Alter is granted.

London's Approachable Licence to Alter Specialists

We have built a strong reputation by focusing on acting on your behalf in a professional and neighbourly fashion throughout the Licence to Alter process. We understand that maintaining good relationships with your landlord or freeholder is important for your ongoing occupancy, and our approach reflects this understanding.

Our experience covers the full spectrum of London's property landscape, from prestigious central London estates including Grosvenor, Cadogan and Ilchester estates, to modern developments, ex-council properties, and housing association buildings across Greater London.

We are conscious that different freeholders and managing agents have varying requirements for Licence to Alter applications. Our specialist knowledge of these different approaches ensures we prepare your application to the specific standards expected, reducing delays and increasing the likelihood of swift approval.

For leaseholders planning alterations, we use our specialist knowledge of the Licence to Alter process to guide you through each step, ensuring your application is comprehensive, compliant, and compelling.

For property professionals, we work seamlessly with architects, surveyors, and contractors, coordinating the Licence to Alter process with your wider project timeline and ensuring all necessary consents are in place before works commence.

Common Licence to Alter Challenges We Resolve

Unreasonable refusal or delay where we negotiate with landlords who are withholding consent unreasonably or failing to respond within reasonable timeframes to Licence to Alter applications.

Excessive conditions or costs as we review proposed licence terms and negotiate more reasonable conditions, particularly regarding inspection fees, deposit requirements, and reinstatement obligations.

Complex estate requirements where we navigate the specific and often demanding requirements of London's major private estates and their Licence to Alter procedures.

Retrospective licence applications for clients who have already commenced works without obtaining the required Licence to Alter, helping to regularise the situation and avoid potential lease forfeiture.

Multiple consent coordination where your Licence to Alter must be coordinated with planning permission, building regulations approval, listed building consent, or party wall agreements.

Why Choose Our Licence to Alter Service

Specialist expertise in Licence to Alter applications across all types of London residential leasehold properties.

Fixed, capped fees providing complete cost certainty for your Licence to Alter process, with no hidden charges or hourly rate escalations.

Proven track record with many successful Licence to Alter applications across Greater London's diverse property portfolio.

Professional relationships with major London estates, managing agents, and freeholders, facilitating smoother Licence to Alter negotiations.

Comprehensive service handling every aspect of your Licence to Alter application from initial consultation through to final licence completion.

Peace of mind approach keeping you informed throughout the Licence to Alter process while handling all the complex legal and procedural requirements on your behalf.

Consequences of Not Obtaining a Licence to Alter

Proceeding with alterations without the required Licence to Alter can have serious consequences. Your landlord may seek forfeiture of your lease, effectively ending your right to occupy the property. They can obtain injunctions requiring you to restore the property to its original condition at your own expense, often at significantly higher cost than the original alterations.

You may face claims for damages if your unauthorized alterations have affected the building's value or caused problems for other leaseholders. When you come to sell your property, the absence of a required Licence to Alter can make the property unmortgageable and unsellable until the situation is regularized.

Retrospective Licence to Alter applications - seeking permission after works have been completed - are typically more expensive and difficult to obtain than applications made in advance.

Contact Us About Your Licence to Alter

If you think a Licence to Alter may be required for your planned property alterations, please feel free to contact us for a free initial consultation. We'll review your lease terms, assess your proposed works, and provide clear guidance on the Licence to Alter requirements and process.

Our Licence to Alter service covers the entire Greater London area within the M25. We consider projects outside Greater London on a case-by-case basis.

The Licence to Alter process can seem daunting, but with our specialist knowledge and professional approach, we'll guide you through each step, ensuring your alterations proceed smoothly and compliantly. Contact us today to discuss how we can help secure your Licence to Alter efficiently and professionally.