Consent comes first
Most flats are leasehold. The outside walls, the roof and often the balconies belong to the freeholder, not to you. Fixing an outdoor unit or drilling through an external wall nearly always needs their written permission.
- Read your lease. Look for clauses on alterations, external fixtures and the building’s structure.
- Find out who to ask. In many blocks a managing agent handles requests for the freeholder. Some buildings are run by a residents’ management company.
- Expect some conditions. Approvals often specify where the unit can go, how it must be fixed and who carries out the work.
Renting?
Tenants need their landlord’s agreement first, and the landlord then asks the freeholder if it’s a leasehold flat.
What to send the freeholder
A clear request tends to get a faster answer. After the survey you’ll have most of this:
- Where each unit will goA photo or sketch of the outdoor unit position and the hole through the wall.
- What the equipment isThe make, model and size of the units, with the manufacturer’s noise figures.
- Who is fitting itThe installer’s accreditations and F-gas certification.
- How the condensate drainsWhere the water from the indoor unit goes, so it doesn’t drip onto a balcony below.
Planning
Flats don’t have the same permitted development rights as houses, so an outdoor unit on a block may need planning permission from Reading Borough Council or Wokingham Borough Council. A unit on a front elevation or in a conservation area is the most likely to need it. The surveyor will tell you whether an application looks necessary.
Where the outdoor unit goes
| Position | When it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| On your balcony | The balcony is part of your demise or the lease allows it | Weight limits and keeping a clear airflow |
| Bracket on the outside wall | Low floors, or where safe access is possible | Access costs on upper floors |
| Shared roof or plant area | The building already has a space for equipment | Longer pipe runs through communal areas |
| Ground level | Ground-floor flats with a garden or yard | Neighbours’ windows close by |
Where no outside position is allowed, some buildings permit a through-wall unit with two small vents instead. These are less efficient, but they avoid a separate outdoor box.
Questions
Can I have the survey before I get consent?
Yes, and it often helps. The survey gives you the unit positions and details the freeholder will want to see.
Will the outdoor unit bother my neighbours?
Modern units are quiet, but placement still matters. The installer avoids putting one right next to a neighbour’s bedroom window, and anti-vibration mounts reduce noise through the structure.
What about a portable unit instead?
Portable units need no consent, but they are noisier, use more power and vent hot air through a window. A fixed system is the better long-term option where permission can be obtained.
Start with an estimate
Get a guide figure while you check your lease.