Licence for Alterations
Residential Lease Licence To Alter
Homeowners often need their landlord’s permission before making structural alterations to their leasehold property. This page will answer any questions you may have about residential Licence for Alteration, including when a leaseholder might need one and what the process will involve.
Helping residential leaseholders improve their homes
A Licence for Alterations or Licence to Alter is a formal, legal document that a leaseholder requires before making certain alterations to their leasehold flat or house. It sets out the conditions under which the alterations may be carried out and ensures that no unexpected conflicts will arise as a result of the work. At Osbornes Law, we have experienced residential property solicitors on hand to guide leaseholders and freeholders (landlords) smoothly through the Licence for Alterations process. Combining legal and technical expertise, we make sure that all alterations made to the property are accurately recorded, protecting your property investment for the future.
It is not unusual for the owners of leasehold flats to want to make alterations to their homes to modernise or extend them. Most residential leases restrict the type of work you can do, either by prohibiting the work completely or requiring the freeholder’s permission before the work can be completed.
It is important that the leaseholder obtains the correct permissions or they may have trouble selling their home in the future. The freeholder, on the other hand, will want to make sure the property is not damaged structurally or aesthetically, and that the works will not result in complaints from other leaseholders in the building.
With over 40 years of experience, our lawyers can advise both leaseholders and freeholders on the terms and conditions of consent, ensuring the proper protections are put in place. We can also assist with dispute resolution, including a service for retrospective permissions where work has been carried out without the prior knowledge of the landlord.
For expert advice or to find out how we can help with your Licence to Alter, please call our specialist residential property solicitors today or fill in an online form and we will call you back.
Contact us today
For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811
Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you
Ability to do high end cases and smaller cases.
“Literally, putting your future in their hands, Robert Aylott and the team at Osbornes Law took the uncertainty, vulnerability and fear resulting from a catastrophic life event and turned it into a safety net for the rest of my life. Empathy, professionalism and delivering exactly what they say. You’re safe in their hands”.
"Commitment to the cause, willingness to go the extra mile and complete command of the area mean they always give the right advice and do the best job possible."
"Osbornes does high-quality work. Jan Atkinson is the go-to partner for independent administrations"
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues.
Property News & InsightsVIEW ALL
- 5.2.2023
Japanese Knotweed: Knot in my backyard again!
Many will have read the recent case in which a furniture designer pursued his seller successfully after he moved into...
Read more - 9.6.2022
TOLATA Claims
What are trusts of land? Property ownership is not always a straightforward legal issue, particularly where the parties are cohabitees...
Read more - 8.6.2022
Right to Light Law
Right to Light Law in the UK Property owners have a legal right to light as set out in the...
Read more - 8.6.2022
Landlords and the Dangers of Rent-to-Rent
Rent-to-Rent refers to the practice of landlords letting a whole property to a tenant (usually a limited company), which is...
Read more - 30.5.2022
The uncertainties of beginning a building project now
The construction industry is seeing a perfect storm at the moment with labour shortages following Brexit and material costs which...
Read more - 9.11.2021
Can I still claim adverse possession?
The principle of “adverse possession” commonly known as “squatters rights” is a principle which allows a person who does not...
Read more - 5.10.2021
Buying a property where a Party Wall Award...
Buying a house with a party wall agreement Buying a property can already be a stressful process but finding out...
Read more - 26.6.2021
The Risks Of Buying Properties Off Plan!
The Daily Mail reported recently that 300 families a week are having to move into shoddy newly built homes. Not all...
Read more - 7.5.2021
Costly clauses missed by lawyers in leasehold contracts
A mum has been left facing a bill of millions of pounds a year for the ground rent of her...
Read more - 7.8.2020
Property Litigation lawyer, Shilpa Mathuradas quoted in Inside...
House buyers and sellers should be wary of ‘too good to be true’ property raffles Shilpa Mathuradas, Head of Property...
Read more - 8.5.2020
Easements – Five Questions Answered
What is an easement? An easement is a right benefitting a piece of land (known as the dominant land) that...
Read more - 18.2.2020
Overlooking Nuisance Claims – Buy some net curtains!
Last week saw the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the decision not to allow the Neo Bankside residents’ an injunction to...
Read more - 6.2.2020
‘Glass in Hand’ Lecture – Should we be nervous...
Hampstead residents will be able to find out about their legal rights when trees damage or overhang their property, next...
Read more - 11.10.2019
Government eviction reforms “risk increasing delays”
Government plans to end so-called ‘no fault’ evictions – and at the same time expand what amounts to a good reason...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Rogue landlord ordered to pay tenant over £20,000 in...
A team of our housing solicitors were successful in a longstanding claim against a rogue landlord concerning a conduct of...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Squatting-will the new law provide homeowners with increased...
On Saturday 1 September 2012 a new law came into force which makes squatting in a residential building an offence punishable by...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Osbornes win 5 day trial in property dispute at...
In 1985 clients of Osbornes, Mr and Mrs Ali-Khan, purchased a house. For various reasons they were not able to obtain...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Canary Wharf v EMA
EMA Decision: Brexit Does Not Frustrate Commercial Property Lease The largely anticipated decision in the case of Canary Wharf v...
Read more - 12.8.2019
Basement developments- How to fight back
Basement developments are growing ever more popular, particularly in wealthy London boroughs, leaving homeowners fearful that neighbours’ excavation projects will...
Read more - 18.7.2019
New Builds, Poor Standards!
This week’s Dispatches programme looked at allegations of shoddy standards, poor customer care and excessive profits being made by...
Read more - 9.7.2019
EMA Decision: Brexit Does Not Frustrate Property Lease
The EMA’s appeal against the decision of the Order of Mr Justice Smith that Brexit would not frustrate the...
Read more - 10.4.2019
Tenant Fees Act 2019 – Landlords & Letting Agents be Warned
On 12 February 2019, the Tenant Fees Bill received Royal Assent and comes into effect on the 1 June 2019 The Act prevents landlord...
Read more - 25.3.2019
Court case has serious consequences for landlords recovery...
On the 21st December 2012 the High Court handed down its judgment in the case of Phillips & Godard -v- Francis &...
Read more - 23.9.2018
The Frustrating Implications of Brexit!
Landlords up and down the country are awaiting the outcome of the case between European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) and Canary...
Read more