Getting 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’ (formerly 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. 

Written permission

You may make most repairs and improvements to your home as long as you get written permission from us first.  We usually give permission, but rules are complex, so contact your local Property Shop or the Repairs Call Handling Centre 0800 479 4999 (Freephone) first.

Planning permission

Work affecting the outside of your home may also need planning permission (including satellite dishes on flats) and building regulation permission before work starts. Obviously, you have to pay for the work yourself and it must be done to an acceptable standard.  We may need to inspect it when the job is completed, so please let us know. However, generally we would not allow externally insulated and rendered properties to have any item fitted to them.  

Repairs

We are not responsible for repairs to your alterations or improvements which are necessary because of faulty fittings, sub-standard workmanship, or defective materials.  So make sure you gain our written permission and employ a firm with a good reputation.  

DIY products

There are some items and materials that we will give you to carry out repairs yourself.  Call the Repairs Call Handling Centre on 0800 479 4999 (Freephone) and we will deliver or arrange for you to collect the item or materials from the Stores Section, Technical Services, Northern Depot, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts.

Examples of the above are:

• Small fencing products
• Draught strips
• Draught excluders
• Kitchen cupboard handles
• Padlocks for garages
• Tower bolts
• Door numerals
• Safety chains
• Window keys

Apply on-line

Complete the form below to apply for permission on-line.  We will contact you about your application.  Depending on the nature of the permission requested, we may need to ask for further details from you.