Alterations to Commercial Rented Property

Planning permission may be required if you wish to make alterations to the property.

Generally planning permission is required if you want to extend, convert or change the external nature of the premises. Significant building work will have to conform to building regulations. As with any building project check with your local planning authority whether you will require planning permission at the proposal stage, before you have invested heavily.

Planning permission is usually not required for changes to the inside of the building or minor external alterations, such as fitting telephone connections.

A specific application is not needed if you want to put up low walls or fences, as these fall under general planning permission. Check the details of the rental agreement before you start any alteration work, you may need to get permission from the landlord before proceeding. Clarify what alterations should be removed before the agreement expires; you could be forced to reinstate the property to its original condition, which can prove costly.

You can get more detailed information on planning permission for commercial property from Leicester City Council's website.

Check the rental agreement to see whether there is repair work pending before you sign. It may be worth commissioning a survey to ensure that any such work is finished before the rental agreement is signed, or you may face paying the bill.

Next: Rental reviews and terminations