Licences for Alteration
If a leaseholder wants to make structural changes or alterations to their property, they typically need to gain permission from the freeholder. A Licence for Alteration is a legal document that enables the leaseholder to undertake the proposed works. A Licence for Alteration reduces the risk of any subsequent disputes arising.
Why Do I Need a Licence for an Alteration Surveyor?
There are many benefits associated with hiring a Licence for Alteration surveyor, including:
- Securing permission to undertake proposed works
- Submitting accurate documentation regarding upcoming works
- Reducing the risk of disputes relating to the proposed alteration
- Minimising reinstatement liability at the end of your lease
If you’re a commercial or residential leaseholder and you want to make changes to your property, a Licence for Alteration surveyor can help you draft and submit the relevant documentation. However, getting the work approved isn’t the only advantage of working with a specialist surveyor.
In addition to ensuring that the Licence for Alteration is properly drafted, your surveyor can help you to minimise reinstatement liability when your lease comes to an end. If it can be shown that the alterations are beneficial to the property. Your surveyor may be able to word the licence so that the alterations can be left in-situ.
Key Factors to Consider with Licences for Alteration
There are numerous elements that must be considered if you’re planning to make changes to a leasehold property, including:
Lease Agreement
Before taking any action, it’s important to review the lease agreement to determine if any clauses either permit or prevent you from making alterations.
Description of Proposed Alterations
As part of a Licence for Alteration, you will need to include a detailed description of the proposed works. This should include: the location of the alterations, materials that will be used and the impact the alteration(s) will have on the structure of the building.
Structural Engineer Reports
If the proposed alteration is likely to change the structure of the building, a report from a qualified structural engineer can help to show that the building’s structural integrity won’t be affected by the proposed works.
Planning Permission
Depending on the type of alteration you want to carry out, you may need to obtain planning permission before the works commence. If so, this should be included in your Licence for Alteration document.
Timescale of Works
A detailed plan of the proposed works, along with an accurate timeline of when the works will commence and finish should also be incorporated into your Licence for Alteration.
Reinstatement Clause
A reinstatement clause typically requires the tenant to return the property to its pre-let condition at the end of a tenancy. If you want to make significant alterations to a property, an existing reinstatement clause may mean that you are required to fund the cost of removing the alteration, restoring the property when your tenancy ends. To Avoid the practical and financial implications of this, you’ll need to ensure that your Licence for Alteration reduces or eliminates your reinstatement liability.
TCL-experienced Licences for Alterations Surveyors
As you can see, Licences for Alterations can be complex documents that must take numerous factors into account. With help from an experienced Licence for Alterations surveyor, you can simplify the process while protecting your interests and minimising your liability.
At TCL Surveyors, we act on behalf of both landlords (freeholders) and tenants (leaseholders) and can provide expert guidance and support regarding Licences for Alteration. In addition, we can also offer professional contract administration and project management services, if the proposed alterations go ahead.
To find out more, contact our team now on 020 3176 0029, email us at info@tcl-surveyors.co.uk or send us a message here.