Can You Extend a Council or Housing Association Property in London?

If your property is a council house (right-to-buy or still rented) or a leasehold flat in a housing association block, the question of whether you can extend or alter it is more complex than for a freehold house. Both planning permission and landlord consent are required — and consent is not guaranteed.

Council Houses (Right-to-Buy Freeholds)

Where a council house has been purchased under Right to Buy and the property is now freehold, the position is similar to any other freehold house for planning purposes. The former council's planning authority has no special role in the planning process beyond being the LPA.

Covenants in the right-to-buy transfer deed sometimes include restrictions on extension or alteration — check your title register and transfer deed before proceeding. Some councils included restrictions on alterations for a period after purchase; these may have expired or may still be in effect.

Shared Ownership and Leasehold Properties

Shared ownership and leasehold properties require landlord consent for any alterations, extensions, or structural works in addition to planning permission. The process involves:

1. Written request to the housing association/landlord: Describe the proposed works in detail
2. Landlord review: The housing association reviews the proposal against their alteration policy, assessing structural impact on the block, insurance implications, and compliance with lease terms
3. Landlord's licence to alter: If consent is given, a formal Licence to Alter is issued (often with conditions — specified contractors, structural engineer sign-off, reinstatement obligations)
4. Planning permission: Obtained separately through the LPA in parallel with the landlord consent process
5. Building Regulations: As with all structural work, Building Regulations compliance and inspection is required

What Housing Associations Typically Allow

Policies vary between housing associations, but most:

• Allow internal non-structural alterations (kitchen, bathroom, decoration) with notification and/or consent
• Allow structural internal alterations (removing walls) subject to engineer sign-off and formal consent
• Are cautious about external alterations, extensions, or loft conversions — particularly in blocks where one owner's works affect shared structure

Extensions to a ground-floor flat (into a garden that is part of the lease) are sometimes possible — but require the housing association's explicit consent and the garden must be part of the leasehold demise, not communal land.

Ground Rent and Service Charge Implications

Works that increase the value or floor area of a leasehold flat may trigger a review of service charges or ground rent in some lease structures. Check the lease carefully and take legal advice before proceeding.

RCB Design & Build

RCB Design & Build advises clients on the requirements for extending and altering leasehold and council properties — helping coordinate landlord consent, planning, and Building Regulations processes.