What does a License to Alter mean?
When leaseholders want to make big changes to their property, they must first get a License to Alter from their freeholder.
This is so the freeholder can protect himself against any adverse effects the changes might have—like if the leaseholders are building a sauna in the shared basement.
Freeholders usually don't have any reason to say no to alterations, though, provided the alterations are reasonable and the leaseholder is being reasonable in asking for the licence. It can seem a long, involved process to get the licence in hand, but it is a process in which you can be confident, given the help of a chartered surveyor.
Which works need a license to alter?
The examples of the works are:
• structural changes
• installations of services (like sanitary, heating, etc.)
• removal of walls and changes to chimney breasts
• changes in windows
• new openings for doors
Are you thinking of changing your leasehold property to modernise its style or make it more accessible? If so, you may be unsure about what obtaining a Licence to Alter (LTA) entails and the restrictions that come with it. Whether you are a leaseholder or a freeholder, you can get unbiased expert assistance from a chartered surveyor who is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or other accreditation body.
Your surveyor can help you carry out the proposed works to the property in a way that protects your investment and conforms to the mandatory and essential aspects of the work involved in obtaining an LTA. If your property is Listed or otherwise of special architectural or historic significance, the assistance of a surveyor can be especially invaluable to you as a safeguard to avoid delays and errors that might threaten your investment and the property itself.
Is a Licence to Alter required?
Don't approach your landlord for permission until you are well-prepared. Our panel of accredited surveyors can help you with that. They can prepare all the relevant documents: construction specifications, design drawings, and structural drawings. Once we understand what the proposed works are, your surveyor can draw up or review your plans in a way that will minimise risk and delay.
Licence to Alter Advantages
Before you ask your landlord for permission, the accredited surveyors will be prepared to outline or check your planned works. They are able to give you all the documents you require, like construction specifications, design drawings and structural drawings so as to:
• know the concept of the proposed works
• secure the protection of assets and those who lease them
• keep up with the terms of the agreement
• avoid delays and reduce the possibility of risk