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Leasehold - "structural alteration"

I have a leasehold flat, with a non-load bearing stud wall separating my living room and bedroom. I'd like to move that wall to increase the size of the living room (which would also include moving the current bedroom door from hallway to the new stud wall).

My question is: does that require freeholder permission?

This is the relevant clause in my lease:
"Not without the Lessor's consent such consent not to be unreasonably withheld make any structural alteration in or structural addition to the flat or cut main or injure or permit or suffer to be cut maimed or injured any of the walls or timbers thereof or erect any new building thereon or carry out any operation or institute any new use of the flat for which permission is required under the Town and Country Planning Acts 1947 to 1971 or any Act or Acts for the time being amending or replacing the same"

Many thanks in advance!

Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Maweras wrote: »
    ....
    "Not without the Lessor's consent such consent not to be unreasonably withheld..... cut main or injure or permit or suffer to be cut maimed or injured any of the walls or timbers thereof ....
    Sounds like you plan to 'cut maim or injure' one of the walls.
  • Thank you - I wondered if that related to "structural" walls only or any wall.
  • phill99
    phill99 Posts: 9,093 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Maweras wrote: »
    Thank you - I wondered if that related to "structural" walls only or any wall.

    Well your quote from the lease clearly states 'any of the walls'.

    So I'm not sure which bit of that you aren't understanding.
    Eat vegetables and fear no creditors, rather than eat duck and hide.
  • divadee
    divadee Posts: 10,609 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Don't do it without permission. Your freeholder could make you put it back as it was which will be an expensive mistake. You may have to pay for the freeholders surveyor to come and check it's not a structural wall, and then they will probably charge you for a licence to change the layout but will save money and hassle in the long run. Especially when you want to sell!
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You have to ask the freeholder for permission because you don't own the wall. The freeholder owns the wall. What you own is a lease to live in the building you don't own any of the building.
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