Leaseholders must seek freeholder permission before making alterations

Principle Estate Management has warned leaseholders that they must obtain what’s known as a Licence for Alter (LTA) before making any changes to their homes.

Richard Coles, an associate director at Principle who oversees the managing agent’s building surveying, explained that without permission from the freeholder, leaseholders could be in breach of their lease.

Mr Coles said: “All leaseholders should submit documents for the freeholder’s approval prior to any works and we will then process for approval and sign off on behalf of the freeholder.

“The first steps is that any leaseholder should approach the property’s managing agent with details of the work that they wish to undertake for review by the building surveying department.

“If an LTA is required, full details of the proposed works, including a full specification and any detailed drawings, must be prepared and submitted for review by the managing agent’s surveyor.

“At this point, a solicitor may be needed to draft the licence.

“Once all the documentation is submitted, a site visit will be arranged so that the surveyor can consider the proposals on site and prepare a schedule for any adjoining properties that might be affected by the works.

“The managing agent can review the works planned, discussing them with the freeholder, and at this stage they may request for additional information from the leaseholder.

“During the works, the managing agent’s surveyor will visit from time to time depending upon the complexity of the works and will make a final inspection upon completion.

“But the important thing for leaseholders to bear in mind is that they may find themselves in breach of their lease if they make alterations to the property without getting freeholder consent.”

Mr Coles added: “The golden rule is to always consult with the managing agent to ascertain if an LTA is required.”

Launched in 2018, Principle now has more than 65 staff looking after a portfolio of more than 12,000 units at around 375 developments across the UK.