In this article, we look at the risks associated with tenant alterations in commercial buildings and how professional technical oversight helps protect landlords, buildings and long-term asset value.
At Bressummer A.R.K, we support landlords and asset managers in managing the risks associated with tenant alterations, from early design review through to construction and final sign-off.
When a tenant proposes alterations — whether that’s a fit-out, change of use, structural modification or services upgrade — the risk ultimately sits with the landlord. Poorly designed or poorly executed works can damage the building, breach statutory requirements, create long-term liabilities or lead to costly disputes at lease end. Our role is to ensure proposals are properly reviewed, controlled and delivered to the right standard.
Tenant works can introduce real risk to both a building and its long-term value. This can include damage to structure or building fabric, non-compliance with Building Regulations, CDM requirements or the Building Safety Act, as well as fire safety, services or operational risks.
Unapproved or poorly documented alterations can also impact future lettings, asset value and lease negotiations. By acting as the landlord’s technical representative, we provide clear oversight and control while maintaining a constructive relationship with the tenant and their project team.
We are often appointed where tenant proposals are incomplete, lack technical detail, or where there is uncertainty around compliance and statutory responsibilities.
This can include situations where works have progressed ahead of formal approval, where contractor delivery does not align with agreed drawings, or where commissioning, certification or health and safety documentation is missing or unclear.
Our involvement removes these risks by managing the process from technical review through to construction completion and documentation sign-off.
Our service typically begins with a detailed pre-construction review, ensuring the tenant’s proposals are fully understood, technically robust and aligned with lease obligations before works begin.
This usually involves liaising with the tenant’s consultants, agents and surveyors, completing desktop technical reviews of the building and proposed works, and undertaking site inspections where required. We review technical information, identify risks or gaps, and provide clear written advice to the landlord.
Where required, we also support legal teams with technical input into licence to alter documentation. The aim at this stage is simple — to ensure the design is compliant, appropriate and properly approved before construction starts.
Once works commence, we provide structured construction monitoring to ensure delivery matches approved proposals.
This includes coordinating with the tenant’s project team and contractors, reviewing programmes, carrying out interim site inspections and providing clear progress and risk reporting back to the landlord.
At completion, we undertake final inspections, review statutory certification and the Health and Safety File, and provide written confirmation that works have been completed in accordance with approvals. This ensures the works are delivered safely, correctly and with the right documentation in place for future building management.
Throughout both stages, we monitor and advise on compliance with key legislation, including the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Building Regulations 2010 and the Building Safety Act 2022.
This helps ensure the landlord’s statutory responsibilities are met and that tenant works do not introduce future liability into the building.
The outcome is clear oversight, protection of long-term asset value and confidence that works are compliant and properly documented. It also reduces the risk of disputes, unexpected remedial costs and operational issues later in the building lifecycle, while helping maintain positive and professional tenant relationships.
We are currently delivering this service for a landlord client at Adanac Park in Southampton, where incoming occupiers are converting units for bespoke commercial use including sports facilities, office space and manufacturing.
The works include structural alterations, new service installations and internal reconfiguration. Our role includes reviewing tenant proposals against lease requirements, assessing technical risk and compliance before approval, and monitoring construction through planned inspections to ensure works are delivered in line with approved details and statutory obligations.
This instruction demonstrates how early technical involvement and structured monitoring helps protect landlord assets while allowing tenants to successfully deliver their operational requirements.
Good question, and important! Its a common one and the answer is, it depends on three main variables. The size of the property, the type of survey and the location of the property. You can get a guide on our fees for different services by seeing our cost of services page by clicking here – Cost of Services
In short yes. All our surveyors are chartered building surveyors and members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) our company is also regulated by the RICS. So you will always have a chartered surveyor acting for you.
Bressummer A.R.K. are a RICs chartered surveyor and commercial property surveyor operating primarily in and around Hampshire and London. We do however serve clients further afield, so contact us today to see if we can help.
Yes our company is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has been since the beginning. Our founder and director is a Fellow with the RICS also.
Derek completed a structural condition report for me on a hotel and I was very pleased with the quality and detail of the report.
Harry - Hive Opco Ltd
It’s important, in order for us to understand your requirements from the outset in order to give the best commercial building consultancy advice we can.
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We’re delighted to welcome Steve to the Bressummer A.R.K team as our new Associate Director. Here’s a little more about him…
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