Gaining Permission

As a Secure Tenant, you have the right to improve your home as long as you get written permission from us first.

Address your request for permission to your local Property shop.  You will receive a written response with our decision or a home visit may be necessary to discuss the request in more detail.  Following a home visit, we will write with our decision.

If we do not give permission, we will give our reasons.

Carrying Out Alterations

You must not start work until we have given permission, and all work must be carried out by a competent person. Gas fittings must be carried out by an installer who is 'Gas Safe Registered' (formerley CORGI). Electrical work must be carried out by registered NICEIC installers.

You may need planning permission (including satellite dishes on flats) and Building Regulation approval.  You are responsible for applying for them but we will where we can advise you when they are required.

We will advise if we need to inspect after the work has been completed, so keep us informed about your progress.

You will usually be responsible for repairing, maintaining, and renewing anything you have fitted.  We will advise you of this in our decision letter.

If you remove any of the property's fittings as part of your improvement work, you may have to put these back if you end your tenancy and leave.  If you put up external structures such as greenhouses or sheds, you must remove them if you leave.  If you are unsure, please seek our advice.  If you undertake improvements or alterations without our permission, you may face a re-charge should you leave.