It can be easy to get — but only when the works are low-risk, the lease wording is clear, and you submit a complete, professional application. In many cases, the process feels difficult not because the freeholder is trying to block you, but because they are managing risk (structure, fire safety, water escape, noise) and process (paperwork, professional reviews, legal drafting and fees).
A better way to think about it is:
Consent is usually straightforward when you make it easy to say “yes.”
Consent becomes hard when the freeholder sees uncertainty, risk, or potential nuisance.
Below is a detailed breakdown of what typically makes consent easy, what makes it difficult, how long it tends to take, and how to improve your chances.
1) What “easy” looks like in practice
A Licence for Alterations is usually easiest to obtain when:
A) Your lease allows a consent route and the works are permitted in principle
If your covenant is qualified (“no alterations without consent”) or fully qualified (“consent not to be unreasonably withheld/delayed”), you have a recognised route to permission. That alone helps.
B) The works are low-risk and commonly approved
Typical “easier” jobs include:
- like-for-like kitchen or bathroom replacement without moving plumbing routes
- internal redecoration and joinery replacement
- minor non-structural changes (depending on wording)
- straightforward electrical upgrades that don’t affect communal areas
- flooring changes where you fully address acoustics (the big caveat)
C) You submit a “decision-ready” application pack
When the freeholder’s surveyor/solicitor receives everything they need up front, the process becomes much smoother:
- clear scope and drawings (where needed)
- method statement and programme
- contractor details + insurance
- structural engineer info (if structural)
- acoustic details (if hard flooring)
- details of drainage/vent routes (if moving wet areas)
When the pack is complete, “easy” often means the freeholder has no reason to stall.
2) Why it often feels difficult (even when approval is likely)
Even if the freeholder is minded to consent, there are structural reasons the process can feel slow:
A) Multiple professionals are involved
Many freeholders use:
- a surveyor to review the technical risk, and
- a solicitor to draft the licence.
That introduces:
- queues, working backlogs, and handovers
- additional questions
- legal drafting timelines
B) Freeholder processes can be administrative and inflexible
Managing agents often operate by checklist. If one item is missing (insurance wording, drawing format, acoustic data), progress can stop.
C) Freeholders are managing building-wide risk
The freeholder isn’t just thinking about your flat. They’re thinking:
- “What happens if this causes a leak into two flats below?”
- “Will neighbours complain about noise from hard floors?”
- “Will fire stopping be compromised?”
- “Will this create a future maintenance headache?”
So they often want proof, not assurance.
3) The works that are most likely to be difficult
Consent becomes harder (or slower) when the works fall into higher-risk categories.
A) Structural alterations
- removing walls
- forming openings
- installing steels
- altering floors/ceilings
These often require:
- engineer design and calculations
- clear method statements
- inspections at key stages
- sometimes opening-up details
B) Bathrooms/kitchens moved (wet risk)
Moving a wet area raises concerns about:
- drainage falls and routes
- waterproofing and sealing
- penetrations through floors
- leak testing
- insurance and liability
Freeholders will usually scrutinise these more heavily.
C) Hard flooring (acoustics is a common battleground)
Hard flooring disputes are one of the biggest recurring issues in blocks of flats. If you don’t address acoustics properly, the freeholder may:
- refuse
- impose strict conditions
- demand testing or specific systems
- require carpet in certain rooms
D) Fire safety-sensitive changes
- downlights and ceiling alterations
- works near risers/ducts
- service penetrations through compartment walls/floors
These can trigger:
- fire stopping requirements
- evidence requests
- inspection conditions
E) External changes
- windows/doors
- vents/flues
- balcony works
Even if the work is “better,” freeholders often control:
- appearance consistency
- envelope integrity
- maintenance and future replacement programmes
4) The freeholder and managing agent you have matters
Even for identical works, consent can feel “easy” or “difficult” depending on:
- how well-run the managing agent is
- whether the freeholder delegates decisions quickly
- whether they use fixed-fee or open-ended professional costs
- how many approvals they’re processing
- how strict they are on lease interpretation
Some are pragmatic and efficient. Some are slow and procedural. Knowing the building’s “culture” helps you plan.
5) How long does it typically take?
There isn’t a single answer, but in real-world terms:
Lower-risk works with a complete pack
Often progresses faster, especially if the managing agent is responsive.
Higher-risk works or incomplete packs
Can take significantly longer because:
- additional documents are requested
- professional reviews are more detailed
- licence conditions become more complex
- drafting takes longer
The biggest controllable factor is usually how complete your submission is at the start.
6) The biggest reasons consent gets delayed or refused
Here are the most common practical issues:
- Unclear scope (“Are you removing walls or not?”)
- No drawings/specification for meaningful changes
- Missing insurances or inadequate cover
- No method statement or nuisance control plan
- No acoustic detail for flooring
- No engineer design for structural work
- Wet-area move without drainage/waterproofing detail
- Attempting to start works before the licence is signed (puts you on the back foot)
7) How to make consent easier (top practical steps)
A) Ask for the agent’s checklist and meet it exactly
This avoids the “one missing item stops everything” problem.
B) Submit a tidy, indexed pack
A single PDF with:
- contents page
- labelled drawings
- insurance certificates
- method statement
- contractor details
- supporting specs (acoustic/wet area/engineer)
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the biggest accelerators.
C) Address the big four risks explicitly
In your method statement or cover letter, show how you’re controlling:
- structure
- fire stopping
- water escape
- noise transmission
D) Keep communications written and professional
If things slow down, ask:
- “Please confirm any outstanding items required to proceed.”
- “Please confirm expected timescales for surveyor review and licence drafting.”
E) Don’t fight sensible conditions
Accept reasonable conditions quickly. Challenge only what’s truly disproportionate.
8) So, is it easy?
It’s often “easy” when:
- works are low-risk, and
- you submit a complete pack, and
- you have a qualified/fully qualified covenant, and
- the managing agent is organised.
It becomes “hard” when:
- works are structural, wet-area relocation, flooring acoustics, fire-sensitive, or external, and/or
- the pack is incomplete, and/or
- the freeholder is slow, fee-heavy, or overly cautious.
Want a quick view on how “easy” your consent is likely to be?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us what works you’re planning and whether it’s a flat or maisonette, and we’ll explain what the freeholder is likely to focus on, what documents you’ll need, and how to present a decision-ready submission that gives you the best chance of quick approval.