Commercial Lease Legal Experts

Our solicitors provide expert change of use consent services

Our commercial lease solicitors guide tenants through the change of use consent process across England and Wales. We coordinate planning applications, lease consent, and all necessary approvals for your new business use.

What does change of use consent involve?

Change of use consent allows commercial tenants to operate different business activities from their premises. Our commercial lease solicitors coordinate planning permission, landlord lease consent, and any other approvals required to legally change how you use your commercial property.

When a commercial tenant wants to operate a different business from their premises, they typically need change of use consent. This involves both planning permission from the local authority and landlord consent under the lease. Our licence to alter solicitors and change of use consent specialists manage the complete process across England and Wales.

Planning law categorises different business activities into use classes. Moving between use classes often requires formal planning permission, while leases frequently contain their own restrictions on permitted use. Our change of use consent solicitors ensure both planning and lease requirements are properly addressed before you commence any new business activities. Our landlord consent application expertise means we handle the complete consent process efficiently.

How our change of use consent solicitors help you

Our commercial lease solicitors provide specialist support for change of use matters in commercial properties

Planning advice and applications

Our change of use consent solicitors assess your proposed use against planning use classes and advise on the best approach for planning permission.

  • Reviewing planning use class requirements
  • Preparing planning permission applications
  • Liaising with local planning authorities
  • Planning and zoning advice on permitted development

Lease consent and negotiation

Landlords may need to grant consent for change of use under lease terms. Our solicitors negotiate appropriate conditions on your behalf.

  • Reviewing lease permitted use provisions
  • Preparing landlord consent applications
  • Negotiating use restrictions and conditions
  • Landlord consent applications management

Common change of use scenarios our solicitors handle

Use Change Scenario Planning Considerations Our Solicitor's Role
Retail to Restaurant Often permitted under Class E changes Our commercial tenant solicitors assess requirements
Office to Residential May require Prior Approval process We handle permitted development rights applications
Warehouse to Gym Use class change typically required Our change of use consent solicitors prepare applications
Beauty Salon to Café Depending on extent of changes needed We advise on licence to alter combined with change of use
Gallery to Bar Sui generis use may apply Our planning solicitors navigate complex planning enforcement issues

Our change of use consent process: how solicitors guide you

Working with our commercial lease solicitors follows a structured step-by-step approach

1

Initial assessment of use change requirements

Our change of use consent solicitors assess your proposed new business use against planning use classes and lease permitted use provisions. We determine whether planning permission, landlord consent, or both are required for your change of use.

2

Planning application preparation

We prepare planning applications with supporting documentation including plans, use descriptions, and any required environmental or heritage assessments. Our planning and zoning advice ensures applications address all relevant planning policies.

3

Landlord consent application

Simultaneously, we submit landlord consent applications under your lease terms. Our landlord consent application solicitors ensure comprehensive documentation supports your request.

4

Consultation and negotiation

We engage with planning authorities and landlords throughout consultation periods. Our solicitors respond to consultations, address objections, and negotiate lease negotiation terms where conditions are imposed.

5

Consent and implementation

Once planning permission and landlord consent are granted, our solicitors ensure proper execution of any required documents. We advise on any ongoing lease compliance obligations arising from the change of use, including any conditions that must be maintained.

Frequently asked questions about change of use consent

Our commercial lease solicitors answer these questions regularly

Why businesses trust our change of use consent solicitors

Our commercial lease solicitors bring specialist expertise to change of use matters across England and Wales

Planning expertise

Our change of use consent solicitors combine planning law knowledge with commercial lease expertise, ensuring both planning permission and landlord consent requirements are addressed professionally.

Clear communication

We explain complex planning and lease concepts in plain English. Our solicitors keep you informed throughout your change of use matter, providing regular updates on progress and responding to queries promptly.

Transparent pricing

We offer competitive rates for change of use consent work. Our solicitors provide transparent fee structures with no hidden charges, giving you clarity from the outset.

Our solicitors handle change of use consent across all commercial sectors

From retail conversions and office-to-residential changes to industrial unit conversions, our commercial lease solicitors provide change of use consent services across England and Wales. We assist commercial tenant advisors, landlords, investors, and businesses of all sizes with their change of use requirements.

Our expertise covers straightforward use class changes, complex Prior Approval applications, permitted development rights assessments, and applications requiring environmental or heritage considerations. Our solicitor team provides expert guidance tailored to your premises and business needs.

Contact our change of use consent solicitors today

Get specialist legal advice on your commercial property change of use requirements

Request a free consultation

Contact information

Call our solicitors

01582 415836

Visit our offices

Luton, Bedfordshire

Serving clients across England and Wales

Office hours

Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Emergency appointments available on request