Security of tenure is legal protection preventing arbitrary rent increases and landlords’ attempts to repossess property through eviction. 

Grant funders require all projects to be completed at a site where the applicant holds security of tenure through freehold ownership or long-term leasehold.   Funders will ask you to submit a copy of the lease or freehold documents as part of your application to satisfy them that you are legally entitled to undertake the works.

Your organisation does not need to own the site where the project is taking place, but it is expected to have a secure lease. Funders require the length of lease to be appropriate to the amount of funding requested. 

Please note that the funders are unlikely to offer a grant for which the lease does not fulfil there requirements :

Each funders requirements are different, its important that you check there criteria before applying.  We strongly suggest that when you are negotiating a lease that you aim for 25 years. That way it gives you piece of mind but also shows that the land owner is in full support of your organisation.

Below is a sample lease structure from one grant funding body.  This is not the same for every funder.

Award Amount          Minimum Length of Lease   Grant Security

£5,000 to £50,000            5 years                       None

£50,001 to £100,000        10 years                     None

£100,001 to £150,000       15 years                     None

£150,001 to £250,000        25 years                     In some cases for at least 25 years

Certain Major Grants where the site requires protection 99 years         

Normally for a minimum of 99 years