The Licence for Alterations procedure is the formal process a leaseholder (or commercial tenant) follows to obtain the landlord/freeholder’s written permission to carry out works that are restricted by the lease. While the exact steps vary between landlords and managing agents, most follow a broadly similar pathway:
- Check the lease and confirm consent is required
- Prepare a proper “application pack” (drawings, method statement, contractor details, insurance)
- Submit the application to the landlord/managing agent
- Landlord review (often via a surveyor and solicitor)
- Agree conditions and fees
- Licence drafted and signed
- Works carried out under the licence conditions
- Completion sign-off / inspection (if required)
Below is a detailed, practical guide to what happens at each stage, what documents are normally needed, typical timescales, common pitfalls, and how to keep things moving.
1) Step one: confirm what your lease actually requires
Before doing anything else, you need to identify:
- what alterations covenant you have (absolute / qualified / fully qualified)
- whether there are separate clauses for:
- structural changes
- internal non-structural changes
- flooring / sound insulation
- windows/external appearance
- services (drainage/ventilation)
This matters because some leases allow only non-structural works, some prohibit structural works entirely, and some require consent for even “minor” changes like hard flooring.
Practical tip
If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Misclassifying the covenant is the quickest route to enforcement risk or sale problems later.
2) Step two: outline your proposed works properly
Landlords are far more likely to respond quickly when you give them a clear and professional scope. This usually means:
- a concise description of the works (what you’re changing and where)
- whether the works involve:
- walls (even “non-loadbearing”)
- kitchens/bathrooms (especially relocation)
- penetrations through walls/floors/ceilings
- external changes (vents, windows, flues)
- flooring changes (carpet to hard flooring)
This is also the stage to identify what statutory approvals may be needed:
- building regulations
- planning (sometimes)
- party wall matters (in some situations)
Licence consent is separate from building control and planning — you may need all of them.
3) Step three: assemble the “Licence for Alterations application pack”
Most landlords/managing agents want a structured pack. Typical contents include:
A) Drawings and specifications
Depending on the works:
- existing and proposed plans (and sometimes elevations/sections)
- construction details (especially wet areas and penetrations)
- specification of finishes (particularly flooring and acoustic layers)
B) Method statement / programme
A basic method statement often sets out:
- sequence of works and programme duration
- working hours (often restricted in blocks)
- dust/noise control measures
- waste removal arrangements
- protection of communal areas (corridors, stairs, lifts)
- delivery arrangements and storage (often limited)
C) Contractor details
- contractor name, address, contact person
- evidence of competence/experience (sometimes requested for structural or high-risk works)
D) Insurance documentation
Commonly required:
- contractor public liability insurance (often with a minimum limit)
- employer’s liability insurance (where staff are employed)
- sometimes “contract works” insurance (project-specific)
- sometimes confirmation your own contents/buildings cover remains appropriate
E) Structural engineer input (where relevant)
Where works touch walls, openings, steels, or structural changes:
- engineer drawings/calculations
- confirmation of design approach
- temporary works notes (occasionally)
F) Acoustic information (very common for flooring changes)
If you’re changing to hard flooring, landlords may ask for:
- acoustic underlay specification
- target performance criteria
- sometimes an acoustic test arrangement (depends on the lease/building)
G) Risk items: plumbing and wet rooms
If moving bathrooms/kitchens:
- drainage routes and connection notes
- waterproofing approach and details
- leak testing / isolation plan (sometimes)
4) Step four: submit the application to the right party
Your lease will usually specify whether applications go to:
- the landlord/freeholder directly, or
- a managing agent, or
- a named appointed surveyor/solicitor
It’s normal for the managing agent to act as the point of contact.
Fees at this stage
Many landlords require:
- an administration fee on submission, and/or
- an undertaking that you will pay the landlord’s professional fees (surveyor + solicitor)
This is common because the landlord’s costs of considering alterations are usually recoverable from the leaseholder under the lease.
5) Step five: landlord review (surveying and legal checks)
Most landlords will:
- have a surveyor review the technical aspects (risk to building, nuisance, access, fire stopping, acoustic, drainage)
- have a solicitor draft the licence document and ensure it ties to plans/specs
The landlord may:
- ask for clarifications
- request amended details
- propose conditions (acoustic, working hours, inspections, deposits)
Common review concerns
- structural impact and risk
- fire stopping and penetrations
- water escape risk in flats
- noise transmission from flooring
- access to communal services
- protection of common parts
- compliance with building regs and contractor competence
6) Step six: agree the licence conditions (the “rules of the job”)
A Licence for Alterations almost always comes with conditions. These commonly cover:
A) Scope control
- works must match the approved drawings/specification
- no variations without written approval
B) Working hours and nuisance control
- weekday-only hours
- restrictions on noisy work
- notice to neighbours (sometimes required)
C) Protection of common parts
- lift and corridor protection
- cleaning requirements
- no storage in communal areas
D) Inspections
- landlord’s surveyor may inspect:
- before works start
- during key stages (e.g., before closing up)
- at completion
E) Making good and damage responsibility
- you’re responsible for any damage to the building or other flats caused by your works
- obligation to make good promptly
F) Insurance and indemnities
- maintaining insurance throughout works
- indemnifying landlord against claims from the works
G) Deposits (sometimes)
Some landlords require a refundable deposit against:
- damage to communal areas
- additional cleaning
H) Compliance with statutory requirements
- building regs approval where applicable
- electrical/gas certification where relevant
- party wall compliance where relevant
7) Step seven: the licence is drafted, agreed, and signed
This is the point many people misunderstand:
You usually should not start works until the licence has been formally completed (signed).
The licence will typically:
- attach or reference the approved drawings/spec
- include your covenant to comply with conditions
- confirm payment of landlord fees
- record rights of access/inspection
- set out reinstatement and future sale obligations (sometimes)
Some landlords also require:
- a deed of covenant from contractors (less common)
- notices before commencement
- evidence of neighbour notification
8) Step eight: carry out the works in compliance with the licence
Once works start, best practice is to:
- keep a folder of approvals and insurance on site
- ensure contractors follow working hour restrictions
- protect common parts as agreed
- keep the managing agent informed if the programme changes
This reduces complaints from neighbours and reduces enforcement risk.
9) Step nine: completion, sign-off, and record keeping
Many licences require:
- notification at completion
- a final inspection by the landlord’s surveyor (sometimes)
- submission of certificates:
- building control completion certificate (if applicable)
- electrical installation certificate
- gas safe documentation
- acoustic test results (if required)
- confirmation of fire stopping reinstatement (where relevant)
Keep your licence safely
When you sell or remortgage, the buyer’s solicitor often asks for:
- the signed licence
- certificates and approvals referenced in it
Having everything to hand can prevent delays and renegotiation later.
10) Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Pitfall 1: Starting works before the licence is signed
This can put you in breach of lease immediately and makes the landlord less cooperative.
Pitfall 2: Submitting an incomplete application
Missing drawings, insurance, or method statements causes delays and repeated queries.
Pitfall 3: Underestimating fees and time
Landlord professional fees can be significant, and drafting can take weeks.
Pitfall 4: Ignoring flooring/acoustic requirements
Hard flooring disputes are one of the most common sources of neighbour complaints and enforcement.
Pitfall 5: Varying the works mid-project without approval
Even small changes can technically breach the licence conditions.
A realistic “timeline” (how long does it take?)
This varies widely, but common patterns are:
- Simple non-structural works: often a few weeks if paperwork is complete
- Structural works / bathroom relocations / flooring with acoustic requirements: longer, especially if multiple reviews and licence drafting are involved
The biggest factor is not the works themselves — it’s how quickly you can provide a complete application pack and how responsive the landlord’s team is.
Need help preparing a licence pack that gets approved quickly?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us what you’re planning (layout changes, flooring, kitchen/bathroom works, structural alterations) and whether it’s a flat or maisonette. We’ll advise what information landlords typically require, how to structure a decision-ready submission, and how to reduce delays and disputes with the freeholder/managing agent.