The Disability Discrimination (Providers of Services) (Adjustment of Premises) Regulations 2001

Lessor withholding consent

5.—(1) This regulation prescribes particular circumstances in which a relevant lessor is to be taken, for the purposes of section 27 of, and Part II of Schedule 4 to, the Act to have withheld his consent for alterations to premises.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a relevant lessor is to be taken to have withheld such consent where, within the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which he receives the application for consent, he—

(a) fails to reply consenting to or refusing the alteration; or

(b) (i) replies consenting to the alteration subject to obtaining the consent of another person required under a superior lease or pursuant to a binding obligation, but

(ii) fails to seek that consent.

(3) A relevant lessor is not to be taken to have withheld his consent for the purposes of paragraph (2) where—

(a) the applicant fails to submit with the application such plans and specifications as it is reasonable for him to require before consenting to the alteration, and

(b) within the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which he receives the application, he replies requesting the applicant to submit such plans and specifications.

(4) However, where such plans and specifications are submitted to a relevant lessor in response to a request made in accordance with paragraph (3)(b), he shall be taken to have withheld his consent to the alteration where, within the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which he receives those plans and specifications, he—

(a) fails to reply consenting to or refusing the alteration; or

(b) (i) replies consenting to the alteration subject to obtaining the consent of another person required under a superior lease or pursuant to a binding obligation, but

(ii) fails to seek that consent.

(5) A relevant lessor, who having sought the consent of the other person referred to in paragraphs (2)(b) or (4)(b), receives that consent, shall be taken to have withheld his consent to the alteration where, within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which he receives the consent, he fails to inform the applicant in writing that he has received it.

(6) A relevant lessor who, but for the requirements as to time, complies with the requirements of paragraphs (2), (4) or (5) shall be taken to have withheld his consent until such time as he so complies.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) a relevant lessor is to be treated as not having sought another person’s consent unless—

(i) he has applied in writing to that person indicating that—

(aa) the occupier has applied for consent to the alteration of the premises in order to comply with a section 21 duty; and

(bb) the relevant lessor has given his consent conditionally upon obtaining the other person’s consent; and

(ii) he submits to that other person any plans and specifications which have been submitted to him;

(b) “to reply” means to reply in writing.