Certificates of Compliance/Licences

Leases invariably impose restrictions on how a leaseholder can use and dispose of their property. Often conditional on consent from a landlord or management company being given.

The three main categories of such restrictions or covenants relate to:

• Alienation: covenants against selling, underletting or parting with possession of the whole or part of the premises.
• Alterations: covenants restricting any alterations or improvements of the premises demised to the leaseholder.
• User: covenants restricting the use of the premises, such as whether it can be used for non-residential purposes

Covenants are worded differently in most leases and each one can stipulate different requirements. For instance:

• The ability for a leaseholder to undertake alterations to their demised premise, with the landlord only consenting upon receiving all planning permissions and proof of compliance with building regulations.
• The sale or assignment of a lease can be conditional on the landlord receiving a copy of the transfer deed pursuant to which the conveyance took place.

Whether you are a leaseholder that requires assistance with this consent process or a landlord/management company needing advice on compliance with the lease covenants and/ or drafting the relevant consent or certificate of compliance, PDC Conveyancing can provide the advice you need, please get in touch.