If you own a leasehold flat at the Royal Arsenal, the lease can matter as much as the job itself: some changes need the landlord’s written consent before anyone picks up a tool. Voltify Contractors provides property maintenance in Royal Arsenal as part of its documented SE18 coverage, including plumbing, electrical work, decorating, appliance installation and general repairs. This page explains which kinds of job are usually straightforward, which ones to check first, and how to put together a request that gets a clear answer.
Does the job need your landlord’s consent?
The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) explains that leases deal with alterations in different ways. Some ban them, some allow them only with the landlord’s written permission, and some allow them on conditions set out in a licence. LEASE’s idea of an alteration is also wider than many owners expect: as well as structural work, it can include non-structural changes such as moving radiators, replacing carpets with wooden floors and, under some leases, decorating.
The only way to know for certain is to read your own lease. As a starting point, this is how common jobs tend to fall:
| Job | How it is usually treated | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing a leaking tap, a WC, a faulty socket or a light fitting like-for-like | A repair rather than an alteration in most leases | Whether the pipe or cable also serves other flats, in which case the managing agent may be responsible |
| Repainting walls, ceilings and woodwork inside the flat | Normally fine | Any lease rules on decorating, and rules on anything visible from outside, such as the front door |
| Swapping carpet for laminate or wood flooring | Often restricted; LEASE notes that some leases require floors to be carpeted | The flooring clause, then ask for consent in writing |
| Adding or moving sockets, lights or an extractor fan | May count as an alteration, especially if walls or ceilings are cut into | The alterations clause |
| Moving a sink, washing machine or radiator; a kitchen or bathroom refit | Commonly needs consent | Ask before booking the work |
| Removing a wall or forming a new opening | Structural work that needs consent and, usually, professional advice | Not a maintenance job; get structural advice first |
Asking for consent without holding the job up
LEASE’s advice is to get consent before the work starts and to get it in writing, not verbally. Where a lease allows alterations with permission, the landlord must reply in writing, must not refuse without a reasonable reason, and must give reasons if they do refuse. They can charge a fee for legal or other costs of giving consent, but LEASE points out that it is against the law to charge a premium for non-structural alterations that need consent.
A request is easier to approve when it says exactly what will happen: where the new sockets will go, what flooring and underlay are proposed, which pipes will move and how long the work will take. Getting the job priced first gives you that detail. When you contact Voltify Contractors, mention that consent is needed so the scope can be written up in a form you can pass to the managing agent.
Ask the managing agent about building rules at the same time, such as permitted working hours, booking a lift for materials and where a tradesperson can park or unload. Passing those on when you book avoids a wasted visit.
Historic buildings and the conservation area
The Royal Borough of Greenwich lists a Royal Arsenal conservation area among its designated conservation areas. Conservation-area controls mainly affect outside work, such as windows, doors and anything visible from the street. If your home is in one of the older buildings, check whether it is also listed: listing can cover the interior as well as the exterior, so even work inside may need listed building consent. The council can confirm what applies to your address.
Choosing the right service
Once you know what the lease allows, the work itself usually falls into one of these routes:
- Plumbing for dripping taps, running WCs, leaking wastes and replacement fixtures.
- Electrical services for faulty sockets and switches, lighting and bathroom or kitchen extractor fans.
- Painting and decorating for a refresh between tenancies or making good after other work.
- Appliance installation when an oven, hob, dishwasher or washing machine is being replaced in the same position.
- Handyman and property maintenance for doors, shelving, curtain poles and other smaller jobs.
Arranging work at the Royal Arsenal
Standard working hours are 7am–5pm, Monday to Friday. The documented standard minimum call-out is £80 for the first hour, and the final price depends on the work and materials involved. A leak that is reaching the flat below should not wait for a consent letter: turn off your water at the stopcock and use the out-of-hours emergency call-out service if needed, which is priced differently. Call 020 3411 1855 or email info@voltifycontractors.co.uk.
The Royal Arsenal shares its SE18 coverage with Woolwich and Plumstead. See all areas we cover or browse all Voltify services.
