3 Reasons to Take Advice Before Consenting to Fitout Plans

If the tenant wants to make major changes, then they need you to provide formal owners' consent documentation. This becomes part of any planning applications they may have to submit.

However, this isn't just about allowing new tenants to make the changes they want; you also have to protect your own interests. It helps to retain a consultant who can give you professional owners' consent advice. What are the benefits to you?

If your tenant wants to make significant changes that go beyond changing the layout of the basic space, then their plan may have more impact than you realise. The fitout may affect the structure of your building, communal areas and your existing tenants.

If you hire a consultant to help you negotiate the planning process, the consent you ultimately give is more informed. Your consultant works in your interests — they ensure that you understand exactly what a fitout plan involves and its possible impact on all stakeholders in the property.

Problem is, you might not have the skills to identify how a new fitout will affect other people in the building. Problems won't necessarily show themselves until after the event. Also, people sometimes worry about negative impacts that won't actually happen.

If you retain a consultant to give you owners' consent advice, then they take the needs of other tenants into consideration during their assessment. You get an early heads-up of potential problems.

If necessary, you can get the new tenant to amend their plans. You can also reassure existing tenants that you have taken professional advice to protect their interests as well as your own.

During the fitout process, a tenant may have to make multiple applications to get approval for the works. They must obtain statutory compliance documentation at key stages during and after the job.

You need to make sure that this happens and that you get copies of all relevant documents. If you go through this process alone, then you rely on the tenant to meet their obligations and to provide supporting proof of compliance.

If you hire a consultant, they make this part of the process easier. They can check that the tenant or their representatives do the right things at the right time.

They also collate copies of compliance certificates for you at the end of the work. Ideally, you also want a set of drawings that outline the work as it is done and after completion. This is useful at the end of contracts if you have an agreement that the tenant will make good any modifications they made.

Plus, some consultants also offer project management services during the fitout process. For example, they could run regular checks to ensure that the work meets your specifications as well as safety standards.

To find out more about owners' consent services, contact Building & Project Services Pty Ltd. We will work with you to make sure that your future fitouts work in everyone's interests.