Owning a flat or maisonette opens opportunities for refurbishment and modernisation. Whether you want to create a home that reflects your style or attract tenants, investing in improvements can boost both comfort and the property’s financial worth.
Without holding the freehold, you may need explicit consent before proceeding with any planned works. Understanding the difference between leasehold and freehold is essential, as it directly impacts the alterations you are allowed to conduct.
Leasehold ownership is common for flats and maisonettes, granting you the right to reside in the property for the duration specified in your Lease. The freeholder maintains ownership of the building and land, and even co-owning the freehold does not remove the Lease’s legal framework.
Read Your Lease Carefully
Your first step should be to check the Lease. This document defines your responsibilities and entitlements as a leaseholder, including any rules about permitted or prohibited changes to the property. Each Lease varies, so pay close attention to its details.
You will often find that structural alterations are prohibited, and even rearranging internal spaces might not be allowed. Most permitted works require prior approval from the landlord, and proceeding without it breaches your Lease. Some Leases only require consent for large-scale changes, whereas others cover all modifications.
How to Get a Licence to Alter (LTA)
Any building work that changes a leasehold property requires the freeholder’s formal written approval, which is given through a Licence to Alter. This legal document, typically prepared by solicitors, protects the freeholder from potential losses and ensures that the proposed works will not negatively impact other residents.
Examples of what an LTA is typically required for:
- Structural Alterations: Removing Walls and Chimney Breasts
- Creating Doorways, Windows, or Wall Openings
- Adding or Moving Kitchen and Bathroom Spaces
Submitting a formal application requires detailed plans and specifications, which will be reviewed by the landlord’s surveyor. Freeholders cannot unreasonably refuse the application if all reasonable conditions are satisfied and the interests of other leaseholders are protected. Professional support is available to help you obtain a Licence to Alter for refurbishing your property.
Serving Notice for Party Wall Works
Party Wall law requires that building works potentially affecting a shared wall’s strength or causing inconvenience to neighbours must be formally communicated. Structural alterations like modifying, demolishing, or reconstructing a party wall, digging foundations for lofts or basements, or extending garden flats all fall under these rules