adding a partition wall in a leasehold flat

economic

hi,


I want to sell my leasehold property and am thinking about adding a partition wall in one of the bedrooms which is extra large to make it into a 3 bed flat from a 2 bed. after the partition wall there will be 2 decent sized double rooms and one single room tat can fit a double bed still with wardrobe and chest of drawers and still a bit of space to move. the work will be simple - just adding a stud wall (electrics/lights and windows are already there for both rooms).


- do you think it will add value by doing this or is it better (get more money) to remain as is and leave it as an option for the new buyer? the flat is in zone 2 NW London.


- do I need council planning permission and building regs for this? I live in a conservation area.


- do I need freeholders permission? in the lease it states: "not to make any structural alterations or structural changes to the flat or make structural additions to the said flat without the previous consent in writing of the lessor not to be unreasonably withheld or delays". is the partition wall a structural alteration/change/addition? If I need permission can he say no? can he ignore my letter asking for consent?


- I think since the layout would change it needs to be updated in land registry/deeds/lease - who does this and how is it done?


thanks
economic

Owain_Moneysaver

You may require planning permission (because you're increasing the number of bedrooms, which may have an effect on parking etc). This is more likely in a conservation area. You should in any case get a certificate from the council saying that planning permission is not required, if it isn't.

You will require building regs consent.

You will require freeholder's consent. You will probably be required to submit plans to the freeholder showing how the work can be done without affecting the structure of the building eg any fixings into floors/ceilings/ or party walls will have to be approved by the freeholder.

The internal layout is not usually depicted on land registry but in any case you will have the original deeds plus annotated plans with the freeholder's consent showing the alterations.