Planning permission
Depends on where you live and how much the house changes in appearance. Conservation areas, Article 4 directions, listed buildings and flats are the cases to check with your borough.
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Permissions and practicalities in London
The checks that decide which walls can be insulated, and what needs arranging before work starts.
01
02
Building Regulations
Insulating most of a wall usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the result must meet Building Regulations. Ask at the survey how sign-off will be handled.
03
Freeholder consent
For leasehold flats, the outside walls usually belong to the freeholder, so their consent comes first.
04
Neighbours
Any wall on the boundary needs your neighbour's agreement, because the insulation would overhang their land.
05
Scaffold licence
Needed for scaffold on a public pavement. Applied for by the scaffolder.
06
Gas flues
Extended only by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What changes on the house
- Sills replaced or extended to project past the new face
- Downpipes and waste pipes refitted on longer brackets
- Lights, alarms, meter boxes and dishes moved out to the new surface
- Air bricks and extractor outlets extended through the insulation
- Eaves or verges extended where the roof would not overhang
- The system started on a track above the damp-proof course
Ventilation
Insulated houses are often more airtight. Keep trickle vents open and extractor fans working so everyday moisture can still get out.
More questions
How do I find out if I am in a conservation area?
Your borough council publishes maps of its conservation areas and Article 4 directions on its website. If in doubt, contact the planning department before you commit.
Who extends my boiler flue?
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer may alter or extend a gas appliance flue. We flag flues at the survey so the visit is booked at the right stage.
Who applies for the scaffold licence?
Scaffold standing on a public pavement needs a licence from the council, and the scaffolding firm applies for it. Parking bay suspensions are arranged with the borough as well. Both take notice.
Do I need a party wall agreement?
Not usually for insulation alone, but it depends on what else is happening on the shared wall. Where a wall is on the boundary, you will in any case need your neighbour's agreement before anything overhangs their side.
Book a survey
We check all of this on one visit.
Unsure what applies to your house?
The survey covers it all, free.