Applying for permission
If you want to improve your home by making alterations or providing extra facilities, please write to your Neighbourhood Officer for permission.
We will reply to all requests we receive so if you do not receive a reply, check that we have received your request before you carry out the alteration.
We will not normally withhold permission, but may apply conditions that you must keep to. For example, one of the conditions may be a time limit of three months to do the work. If you do not do this, you must apply again. You must keep to any conditions attached to the permission as it is a term of your tenancy agreement. If you do not keep to it, you will be breaking your tenancy agreement and you may put your tenancy at risk.
It is your responsibility to get any necessary planning and building regulation approvals from your local council.
What if we refuse permission?
If we refuse permission and you think it is unreasonable, you can ask us to look at the matter again.
If I make an improvement, will my rent increase?
No. We will not increase your rent because you have carried out an improvement. However, if the improvement was started on or after 1st April 1994, you may be entitled to some compensation at the end of your tenancy because of the improvements you have made. You can get advice on the compensation scheme from your Neighbourhood Officer.
If you are making major alterations to the property to suit your own individual requirements, for example, dividing one large bedroom into two smaller ones, we may ask you to restore your home to its original condition at the end of the tenancy. We can arrange for this work to be done after you leave, but you will still have to pay the costs. (Do not forget to get written permission from us before you start any alteration or improvement work.)
