Landlord consents & licence to alter
Most commercial leases require you to get the landlord's written consent before making alterations, installing signage, or changing how the unit is used — even changes that are otherwise lawful under planning and building control.
Most commercial leases require you to get the landlord's written consent before making alterations, installing signage, or changing how the unit is used — even changes that are otherwise lawful under planning and building control. This is a contractual requirement set by your lease, not a statutory one, so the exact trigger points depend on what your lease actually says.
Altering the unit without the landlord's consent where the lease requires it is a breach of the lease. At best it creates friction at rent review or lease renewal; at worst the landlord can require you to reinstate the property at your own cost, or treat it as grounds for forfeiture in a serious case.
Put every request in writing and keep it on file — verbal consent is hard to rely on later.
Who this is for
Any venue operating from leased premises, particularly where a fit-out, new signage, or a change of use beyond what the lease permits is planned.
Read the alterations, alienation and user clauses in your specific lease — requirements vary significantly between leases.
What you’ll hold
- Copy of the lease (alterations, alienation and user clauses)
- Licence to alter
- Landlord's written consent
Watch out for
- Reading the lease as silent on alterations when it actually has a general "no alterations without consent" clause covering even minor shopfitting.
- Getting verbal agreement from a landlord's agent and treating that as consent — insist on a written licence to alter, since that is what a buyer, insurer or future landlord will ask to see.
- Leaving landlord consent until after the fit-out contract is signed, which leaves you with no leverage if the landlord asks for changes or delays.
Sources
- Law Society — Business leases and model commercial lease forms checked 2026-09-02
See also
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