Obtaining Licence for Alterations consent is mainly about doing two things well:
- Understanding what your lease and building rules require, and
- Submitting a clear, complete “decision-ready” application pack that addresses the risks the freeholder is responsible for (structure, fire safety, water escape, acoustics, external appearance, and protection of common parts).
Below is a practical, step-by-step guide you can follow from first checks through to signing the licence and completing the works cleanly.
1) Confirm whether your works need a Licence (and what type of covenant you have)
Before spending money on contractors or ordering materials, check your lease for:
- the alterations covenant (absolute / qualified / fully qualified)
- any separate restrictions on:
- flooring (carpets / hard floors / acoustics)
- kitchens/bathrooms (especially relocation)
- windows/external changes
- cutting into walls/floors or service penetrations
- nuisance, working hours, and building rules
Why it matters: Many applications fail or stall because the leaseholder proposes works the lease prohibits (or misses a separate clause).
2) Ask the managing agent/freeholder for their requirements checklist
Most managing agents have a standard process. Ask for:
- the application form (if they use one)
- their document checklist
- minimum insurance requirements
- working hour restrictions
- rules about lifts, deliveries, waste, and storage
- deposit requirements (if any)
- expected review timescales
- confirmation of who reviews (surveyor, solicitor)
Tip: Getting the checklist early prevents repeated requests for “one more item.”
3) Prepare a clear scope of works (1–2 pages)
Write a concise scope that answers:
- what you are doing, room-by-room
- whether works are structural or non-structural
- whether any wet areas are being moved
- whether any hard flooring is being installed (and where)
- whether there are any external changes (vents, windows, etc.)
- start date estimate and duration
- contractor name and contact
Also include a section titled “What we are NOT doing” (e.g., “No structural alterations,” “No relocation of bathrooms,” “No external changes”). This reduces uncertainty and speeds up approvals.
4) Assemble a “decision-ready” application pack
This is the single biggest factor in how quickly consent is granted.
A) Core items (almost always needed)
- drawings (existing/proposed) where changes are meaningful
- specification notes (materials/finishes)
- method statement + programme
- contractor details and insurance certificates
- common parts protection plan (lifts, corridors, stairs)
- waste removal plan and dust/noise controls
B) Add the right technical items depending on your works
If walls/openings/steels are involved:
- structural engineer drawings + calculations
- sequencing/temporary works notes (where appropriate)
If hard flooring is proposed:
- acoustic underlay specification and installation method
- perimeter isolation details (to avoid acoustic bridging)
- confirmation of any testing requirement (if the building requires it)
If kitchens/bathrooms are being altered or relocated:
- drainage route notes and connection points
- waterproofing approach (especially showers/wet rooms)
- ventilation route details
- leak testing/isolation approach (where relevant)
If penetrations through walls/floors/ceilings are proposed:
- fire stopping reinstatement approach (what will be used and how it will be verified)
If windows/vents/external works are involved:
- manufacturer specs and drawings
- finish/colour confirmation
- installation approach and access plan (scaffold, etc.)
C) Organise it professionally
Put everything in one PDF with:
- contents page
- labelled sections
- drawing references matching your scope
- version control (date, revision)
This alone can save weeks.
5) Submit the application and agree the fee basis early
It is common for the leaseholder to pay the freeholder’s:
- surveyor fees (review/inspection)
- legal fees (drafting the licence)
- admin fees
- sometimes a refundable deposit
To keep the process smooth, ask early:
- “Are fees fixed or hourly?”
- “What range should I budget for surveyor and solicitor costs?”
- “What is included in the admin fee?”
Avoid getting stuck at the point of drafting because fees weren’t clarified.
6) Expect review questions — respond quickly and in writing
The freeholder’s surveyor may raise questions about:
- structure and buildability
- noise transmission (flooring)
- water risk (wet areas)
- fire stopping where penetrations occur
- protection of common parts
- contractor competence/insurance
- working hours and nuisance control
How to keep it moving:
- answer questions directly
- attach revised drawings/specs where needed
- keep a single email thread with an updated “outstanding items” list
7) Agree the licence conditions (most are standard)
Most licences include conditions covering:
- working hours and nuisance control
- protection of common parts and cleaning
- insurance and responsibility for damage
- inspections and access
- compliance with building regulations/statutory approvals
- “no variations without written consent”
- completion certificates and records
Accept standard conditions quickly; negotiate only those that are genuinely disproportionate.
8) Do not start works until the licence is signed
This is critical. Starting early can:
- put you in breach of lease
- trigger enforcement
- sour negotiations
- complicate sale/remortgage later
Even if contractors are booked, it’s usually better to delay than to create a lease breach that becomes expensive to fix.
9) During works: comply with conditions and keep records
To avoid complaints and post-works problems:
- follow working hours
- protect and clean common parts
- keep insurance live
- document any concealed items (e.g., fire stopping) with photos before closing up
- notify the managing agent if the programme changes materially
10) Completion: provide the evidence and keep a “licence file”
At the end, you may need to provide:
- building control completion certificate (if applicable)
- electrical or gas certificates (as relevant)
- any required acoustic test results
- confirmation of making good damage
Keep a tidy file containing:
- signed licence
- approved drawings/specs
- certificates
- key photos
This protects you on sale or remortgage.
A quick “success checklist”
You’re most likely to get consent smoothly if you:
- ✅ know your lease restrictions
- ✅ submit a decision-ready pack
- ✅ address structure / fire / water / acoustics proactively
- ✅ clarify fees early
- ✅ keep comms written and professional
- ✅ don’t start until the licence is signed
- ✅ finish with clean completion records
Want help securing Licence for Alterations consent with minimal delays?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us what works you’re planning (walls, flooring, kitchens/bathrooms, windows/vents) and what type of property it is (flat/maisonette/house). We’ll help you identify the likely consent triggers, assemble a decision-ready submission pack, and navigate surveyor and freeholder requirements to keep the process moving.