Lease Plan for Property: What It Is and When You Need One
When buying, selling or granting a lease on a property, the paperwork can include several different types of plans. One of these is a lease plan for property.
A lease plan helps identify the part of a building or land that is included in a lease. This can be particularly important for flats, apartments, commercial units and other leasehold properties.
A clear plan can make it easier for the parties involved to understand exactly what area is being leased.
What Is a Lease Plan?
A lease plan is a drawing that identifies the property or part of a property included within a lease.
For example, a leasehold flat may form only part of a larger building. The lease plan can show the location of the flat, its position within the building and, where applicable, other areas included with the lease.
The plan may identify areas such as:
The leased flat or unit
Individual floors
Gardens
Parking spaces
Storage areas
Garages
Access areas
Other parts of the property included in the lease
The exact requirements depend on the property and the purpose of the lease.
HM Land Registry explains that leases of part of a registered estate will usually need a plan showing the land being leased. The plan should allow the property to be clearly identified. GOV.UK guidance on preparing plans provides further information.
Why Is a Lease Plan Important?
A lease can describe rights and obligations in written terms, but a drawing can make the physical extent of the property much easier to understand.
This is especially useful when a building contains several flats or units.
For example, imagine a converted house containing four separate flats. A lease plan can help identify which part of the building belongs to each lease.
A good plan can therefore reduce confusion about:
The location of the property
The extent of the leased area
Communal areas
Gardens and external spaces
Parking or storage areas
Different floors or parts of a building
The plan should accurately represent the property and be prepared for its intended legal or property purpose.
Lease Plan vs Floor Plan: What Is the Difference?
A lease plan and a normal property floor plan can look similar, but they serve different purposes.
A property floor plan is generally used to show the layout of a property. It may show bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, measurements and other features.
A lease plan, however, is concerned with identifying the extent of the property or area included within a lease.
This distinction matters.
For example, an estate agent may use a floor plan to help buyers understand the layout of a flat. A lease plan may be required to identify the precise area being leased as part of a legal transaction.
If you are unsure which type of plan you need, it is sensible to confirm the requirement with your solicitor, conveyancer or other relevant professional.
What Can a Lease Plan Show?
The information shown will depend on the property and the transaction.
A lease plan may include:
1. Property Location
A location plan can help identify where the property sits in relation to surrounding roads, buildings or land.
2. The Leased Area
The plan should clearly identify the part of the property that is included in the lease.
3. Different Floors
For properties covering more than one level, separate floor areas may need to be shown.
4. External Areas
Gardens, terraces, balconies, parking spaces or other external areas may need to be identified where they form part of the lease.
5. Access and Shared Areas
In some situations, the plan may help identify access routes or areas connected with the lease.
HM Land Registry’s guidance includes examples of lease plans and explains that the relationship between the leased area and the building should be clear. Read the official HM Land Registry guidance.
When Might You Need a Lease Plan?
Lease plans can be relevant in several situations.
You may need one when:
A new lease is being created
Part of a building is being leased
A leasehold flat is being registered
A commercial unit is being leased
A property is being divided into separate units
A lease is being varied or otherwise changed
A solicitor or conveyancer requests a plan for a transaction
The exact requirements depend on the circumstances.
For registered property, HM Land Registry states that the title register and title plan should be considered together with the lease when understanding a leasehold title. HM Land Registry title plan guidance explains how leasehold floor-level title plans work.
Does a Lease Plan Need to Be Accurate?
Yes. Accuracy is important when preparing a plan for a property transaction.
The plan should make it clear which area is being leased and how that area relates to the surrounding property.
An unclear or inaccurate plan can create questions during a transaction. It may also make it harder for the parties involved to understand the extent of the lease.
For this reason, measurements, boundaries, floor levels and other relevant details should be checked carefully.
If the plan is being prepared for registration, the requirements of HM Land Registry should also be considered.
What About Leasehold Flats?
Lease plans can be particularly useful for flats because the property being leased may form only part of a larger building.
For example, a leasehold apartment could occupy the second floor of a block containing many other flats.
The plan may need to make the relationship between the apartment and the rest of the building clear.
It can also help identify areas such as:
The apartment itself
Balconies
Parking spaces
Storage rooms
Gardens
Other areas included within the lease
HM Land Registry provides specific guidance on leasehold floor-level title plans and notes that the title plan should be read alongside the lease. See the official guidance.
Lease Plans and Property Transactions
A property transaction can involve several documents at the same time.
For example, a leasehold property transaction may involve:
The lease
Title register
Title plan
Lease plan
Property information
Other legal documents
Each document has a different purpose.
A lease plan should not be treated as a replacement for the lease or legal advice. Instead, it provides a visual representation of the area concerned.
HM Land Registry also recommends checking the register and title plan together when understanding registered property information. You can use the official GOV.UK property search service to find information about registered property and obtain copies of title documents.
How a Lease Plan Can Help Property Professionals
A clear plan can also make property transactions easier for professionals working with the property.
Estate agents, landlords, developers, solicitors and conveyancers may all need to understand the physical extent of a property.
A well-presented plan can provide a simple visual reference when discussing the property.
This becomes particularly useful for buildings with:
Multiple flats
Several floors
Extensions
Communal areas
Parking arrangements
Storage spaces
Separate entrances
The clearer the property information, the easier it can be for everyone involved to work from the same understanding.
Do Not Confuse a Lease Plan With an EPC
A lease plan and an Energy Performance Certificate have completely different purposes.
An EPC provides information about the energy efficiency of a property and gives it an energy rating from A to G.
A lease plan identifies the physical area covered by a lease.
If you are preparing a property for sale or rent, you may therefore need several different documents and property marketing materials.
Urgent EPC also provides Residential EPC services and a Same Day EPC service for properties in London.
You can also use the Urgent EPC booking page to enquire about property services.
Lease Plan, Floor Plan and Property Marketing
Although a lease plan has a different purpose from a marketing floor plan, accurate property information is important across the whole transaction.
A recent guide on property marketing consistency explains why the EPC, photographs, floor plan and property listing should present consistent information.
This is especially useful when a property has been altered or divided into different areas.
For example, if an extension has changed the layout of a property, the relevant property plans and marketing information should be checked carefully.
You can also read our recent guide on EPC for a Property Extension in London for more information about how extensions can affect EPC considerations.
What Should You Check Before Ordering a Lease Plan?
Before arranging a lease plan, confirm exactly what the plan is required for.
It can help to check:
The type of property
Whether the property is freehold or leasehold
Which part of the property is being leased
Whether external areas are included
Whether parking or storage is included
Whether multiple floors are involved
The requirements of your solicitor or conveyancer
Any relevant HM Land Registry requirements
Providing the correct information at the start can help reduce the risk of having to amend the plan later.
Recent EPC Guides You May Also Find Useful
If you are preparing a property for a transaction, these recent Urgent EPC guides may also be useful:
These articles cover different property situations, including modular homes, inherited properties and the relationship between EPC information and property decisions.
Final Thoughts
A lease plan for property can provide an important visual representation of the area included within a lease.
It is particularly useful for leasehold flats, apartments, commercial units and properties where only part of a building or land is being leased.
The requirements can vary depending on the transaction, so it is important to confirm what your solicitor, conveyancer or relevant authority requires before preparing the plan.
For official information about plans used in property registration, always check the latest HM Land Registry guidance.
If you are preparing a London property for sale or rent and also need an EPC, you can explore Urgent EPC’s residential EPC service or book an EPC and other property services.
