A lease plan is a scaled drawing used to identify the property, land and rights included in a lease. It is commonly needed when a new lease is being registered, a property is divided into flats or units, or a lease is being varied. The plan should make the extent of the premises clear for the parties and, where relevant, HM Land Registry. AA Drafting Solutions prepares Land Registry-compliant lease plans for properties across London.This guide explains when a lease plan is needed, what it normally includes and the factors that affect cost.
Quick Answer
A lease plan usually shows the leased property on a suitable scale, together with its boundaries or extent, floor level where relevant, access routes, shared areas and a north point. Leases granted for more than seven years normally need to be registered in England and Wales. However, whether a separate plan is required depends on the transaction and whether the lease already identifies the property clearly enough. Your solicitor or conveyancer can confirm the legal requirements for your case.
What Is a Lease Plan?
A lease plan is a drawing attached to, or referred to in, a lease. Its purpose is to show clearly what is being let or sold and any land, parking spaces, gardens, accessways or shared areas connected with it. For a flat or commercial unit, it can also identify the correct floor or level within a larger building.
It is different from an estate-agent floor plan. A floor plan is designed to show room layout and approximate dimensions. A lease plan is prepared to identify the property extent and rights described in the lease, so it needs the right scale, labelling and contextual information.
When Do You Need a Lease Plan?
A lease plan may be needed in several property transactions and development scenarios. The exact requirement depends on the lease, title and registration application.
New leases and lease registrations
A lease granted for more than seven years will normally need to be registered with HM Land Registry. A clear plan helps identify the property being registered, particularly where it forms part of a larger title.
Flat conversions and property subdivisions
When a house is converted into separate flats, each unit needs to be clearly identified alongside any shared hallways, gardens, bin stores, parking or access routes. This is often prepared alongside flat conversion planning.
Lease extensions and variations
An updated plan may be needed where the property extent changes, for example if a garden area, roof space, storage area or parking space is added to the lease. The solicitor handling the variation can advise whether a revised plan is required.
Commercial premises
For shops, offices and other commercial units, the plan may need to show the demised area, shared entrances, loading areas, parking, communal facilities and rights of way. Clear information reduces scope for misunderstanding between landlord and tenant.
New-build and mixed-use developments
Developments with several residential or commercial units need each individual premises and shared area to be defined consistently. Lease plans can be coordinated with new-build planning drawings to support the wider project.
What Should a Lease Plan Include?
The correct content depends on the property and legal documentation. A well-prepared lease plan will usually include:
- The full property address and a clear identifier for the premises.
- A suitable scale and a north point.
- Clearly marked boundaries or the extent of the leased area.
- The relevant floor or level for flats and multi-storey buildings.
- Gardens, terraces, balconies, parking spaces, stores and other external areas where included in the lease.
- Shared areas, access routes and rights of way where relevant.
- A location plan or sufficient context to identify the property in relation to surrounding land and roads.
For the current technical guidance, see HM Land Registry plans guidance. For a more detailed explanation of preparing a compliant plan, read our guide to Land Registry lease plan requirements.
Lease Plan, Title Plan and Floor Plan: What Is the Difference?
Document | Main purpose | What it usually shows |
Lease plan | Identifies the property included in a lease | Leased extent, relevant rights, shared areas and property context. |
Title plan | Part of HM Land Registry title information | The registered title’s general boundaries. |
Floor plan | Shows layout for practical or marketing use | Rooms, internal layout and approximate dimensions. |
A title plan should not be treated as proof of exact legal boundaries. Where boundaries or rights are important, the lease wording, title documents and legal advice remain essential.
What Affects the Cost of a Lease Plan?
Lease-plan costs vary according to the information already available and the complexity of the property. A simple flat with accurate existing drawings is usually quicker to prepare than a multi-unit conversion, commercial property or building with complicated external areas and rights of way.
- Property size, number of floors and number of units.
- Whether accurate existing drawings or a site survey are available.
- Gardens, parking, accessways, shared areas and other external land.
- The number of plans needed and any solicitor or conveyancer requirements.
- Whether the plan is needed as part of a wider conversion or development project.
For a tailored quote, send your property details and any existing drawings to AA Drafting Solutions lease-plan service.
How to Get a Lease Plan
- Confirm the requirement with your solicitor or conveyancer. They can identify the lease wording, title documents and information needed for registration.
- Provide the property address, existing plans, title information and details of any areas or rights to be shown.
- Arrange a survey if accurate drawings are not available or the property needs to be measured.
- Review the draft plan carefully before it is used in the lease or submitted with an application.
If you need a plan for a London property, AA Drafting can review the available information and advise on the practical next step.
Common Lease Plan Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a marketing floor plan as the only plan for a lease or registration application.
- Leaving out parking spaces, gardens, stores, balconies or shared access routes that are referred to in the lease.
- Failing to identify the correct floor in a multi-storey building.
- Using unclear colouring, labels or scales that make the property extent difficult to interpret.
- Ordering a plan without checking the solicitor or conveyancer’s requirements first.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The requirement depends on the transaction, the term of the lease and whether the property is already identified sufficiently in the lease and title documents. A solicitor or conveyancer should confirm what is needed.
You may need an updated plan if the extension or variation changes the property extent, such as adding a garden, roof space, parking area or storage. Ask the solicitor handling the lease extension to confirm.
Yes. Shared entrances, staircases, gardens, parking, footpaths and access routes can be shown where they form part of the lease arrangements or need to be identified clearly.
Yes. AA Drafting can prepare lease plans alongside flat conversion planning services for London properties.
The cost depends on the property, available drawings, survey requirements and the complexity of the areas to be shown. Request a quote with the property address and any existing plans for an accurate price.
Contact
Office Address
3-7 Sunnyhill Rd
Streatham Wells
Lambeth
London SW16 2UG
Opening Hours
Mon — Thurs — 9am – 6pm
Fri — 9am – 5pm
Sat — 9am – 2pm
Sun — Closed
Fri — 9am – 5pm
Sat — 9am – 2pm
Sun — Closed
Loading...