Business Legal Services
Licence to Alter Solicitors
Experienced legal support for negotiating and preparing a licence for alterations
Whether you are a commercial tenant seeking consent to alter leased premises or a commercial landlord considering an application, we help negotiate and prepare a licence for alterations that protect your commercial position and keep projects moving.
From office fit outs and warehouse alterations to structural works and specialist installations, we make sure the legal documentation supports your project while reducing the risk of future disputes.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
Proven track record and measurable results
We’ve supported over 8,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
How we can help
Legal advice on licences to alter for commercial landlords and tenants
A licence to alter gives landlords and tenants a clear framework for carrying out alterations to commercial premises. We advise on the legal issues that arise, helping ensure the documentation reflects the agreed works and each party’s ongoing obligations. Our team can help you to:
Obtain landlord consent before carrying out internal alterations, refurbishment works or fit-outs at your commercial premises.
Negotiate a licence to alter for structural works, new plant or machinery, air conditioning, signage or other significant alterations.
Coordinate licences to alter as part of a wider property transaction, including lease renewals, acquisitions, disposals or refinancing.
Understand whether your proposed works require a licence to alter and what obligations your lease places on you before work begins.
Agree reinstatement obligations so you’re clear whether alterations must be removed when your lease comes to an end.
Resolve disputes where alterations have been carried out without the required landlord consent and understand the options available under the lease.
We make working with us simple – here are the steps we usually follow:
- Share your plans
Tell us about the proposed alterations, your commercial lease and where you are in the process. If you have relevant documents, such as the lease, plans or correspondence, we will review these as part of our initial assessment. - We will review the legal position
We will explain the key legal and commercial issues, identify any points that need to be addressed and outline the most appropriate way to move matters forward. - We will manage the process
We will prepare or negotiate the licence to alter, work with the other parties involved where required and keep the process progressing while ensuring the documentation accurately reflects what’s been agreed.
Experts in commercial property law
Supporting your wider commercial property requirements
A licence to alter is often one part of a wider commercial property matter. If you need advice beyond your proposed alterations, our commercial property experts can support you across a range of related legal services.
Why choose our licence to alter solicitors?
Meet our team
Licences for alterations often form part of wider commercial property matters, including lease negotiations, acquisitions, disposals, portfolio management and property development. Drawing on extensive private practice and in-house experience, our commercial property solicitors understand how these issues fit together and provide commercially focused advice that is tailored to your wider business requirements.
Coupled with our innovative pricing models and remote operating model, we’re uniquely placed to provide the quality of commercial property legal advice you would usually find at a City firm but for a fraction of the cost.
Understanding Licences to Alter
Common questions
Licences to alter can raise a number of legal and commercial questions. Here are some of the issues we regularly advise on. If you are unsure how these issues apply to your situation, our licence to alter solicitors are on hand to help you understand your options.
What happens if works are carried out without a licence to alter?
If your lease requires landlord consent, carrying out alterations without a licence to alter could amount to a breach of the lease. This may lead to disputes, affect future property transactions or require the works to be remedied. Taking advice before work starts can help avoid unnecessary complications.
What types of alterations usually require a licence to alter?
Requirements vary between leases, but licences to alter are commonly needed for structural alterations, fit-outs, installing air conditioning or other mechanical equipment, mezzanine floors, new signage, or works that affect the fabric or services of the building. Even seemingly minor alterations may require consent, so it’s important to check the lease.
Can a landlord refuse a licence to alter?
Whether consent can be refused depends on the terms of the lease and the nature of the proposed works. In some cases, landlords must act reasonably when considering an application, while in others they may have greater discretion. The lease and the specific circumstances will determine the position.
What should I consider before agreeing a licence to alter?
The scope of the approved works is only one part of the agreement. It’s also important to consider issues such as reinstatement obligations, responsibility for obtaining statutory approvals, professional supervision, access arrangements and who is responsible for any damage caused during the works.
Do all alterations need to be removed at the end of the lease?
Not necessarily. Whether alterations need to be reinstated will depend on the terms of the lease, the licence to alter and what has been agreed between the parties. It’s worth clarifying reinstatement obligations at the outset, rather than waiting until the lease comes to an end.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Our clients value straight answers, commercial judgement and lawyers who keep momentum in high-stakes transactions.
Having Rachel’s help has been invaluable. I’ve previously negotiated the property terms myself, but due to the complexities that came with leasing this property, I didn’t know where to start. Rachel went through the agreement with a fine-tooth comb and picked up on crucial aspects that I wouldn’t have noticed. There’s so much to think about while moving premises while still fulfilling orders and Rachel was great at putting my mind at ease throughout the process.
Ruby Sheldon
CEO,
Slime Party UK
Alex Curtis is a super star. He helped us out at short notice on a lease renewal where the landlord had redrafted the terms of the lease in their own favour. Not only did he provide excellent counsel but he supported us in negotiating the terms back in our favour - which we successfully did. Thanks Alex.
Mic Miller
CEO,
Easyfundraising
Sam really understood that the lease was a big commitment from us and she was patient in her approach. Sam was always looking to make sure we were protected from any clauses that were not in our favour. We are very grateful to Sam for her help as we could not have done it without her.
Chris Woods
Operations Manager,
Playtonic Games
Having Rachel’s help has been invaluable. I’ve previously negotiated the property terms myself, but due to the complexities that came with leasing this property, I didn’t know where to start. Rachel went through the agreement with a fine-tooth comb and picked up on crucial aspects that I wouldn’t have noticed. There’s so much to think about while moving premises while still fulfilling orders and Rachel was great at putting my mind at ease throughout the process.
Ruby Sheldon
CEO,
Slime Party UK
Alex Curtis is a super star. He helped us out at short notice on a lease renewal where the landlord had redrafted the terms of the lease in their own favour. Not only did he provide excellent counsel but he supported us in negotiating the terms back in our favour - which we successfully did. Thanks Alex.
Mic Miller
CEO,
Easyfundraising
Sam really understood that the lease was a big commitment from us and she was patient in her approach. Sam was always looking to make sure we were protected from any clauses that were not in our favour. We are very grateful to Sam for her help as we could not have done it without her.
Chris Woods
Operations Manager,
Playtonic Games
