You can make improvements to your home as long as you get written permission from us first. Telephone calls and verbal requests are not acceptable and the request must be put in writing.
A request form is available from any Neighbourhood Housing Office or by downloading and completing the General Request Form from the list on the right. Some alterations require a special form relating to the type of work you wish to carry out. These can be downloaded from the links on the right. You can e-mail the completed 'General Request form' to us or put it in the post . Full details of Neighbourhood Housing Office addresses can be found by following the Contact Us link on the right.
You will receive a written response with our decision. 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, for example if the improvement affects your safety or our ability to maintain and repair your home.
More detailed information about carrying out alterations
Improvement work can include:
- Installing kitchens or bathrooms
- Installing gas or electric fires
- Installing showers
- Installing burglar alarms
- Any electrical additions or alterations, including new wiring
- Installing laminate flooring
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- Building conservatories, sheds and garages
- Installation of a ‘hard standing’
- Erect fencing
- Built in wardrobes and cupboards
- Removing or filling walls
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The above list is not definitive
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 a CORGI registered person. 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 check that the completed work:
- Would be safe
- Assess the effect on the property and other people
- Tell you about planning and building permission
- We will ask you to complete a return slip once the work has been completed if we need to inspect, so keep us informed about your progress.
- Work must be completed or started within 3 months of permission being given.
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 leave your home, you may take the improvements with you, for example new cupboards, however 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 if the alterations do not meet our standards or should you leave the property and not ‘make good’ prior to leaving, for example filling in holes and repainting.
Compensation for Improvements
You may be entitled to compensation for any improvements you have made when you leave your home. Please see the attached booklet 'A better deal for tenants: your right to compensation for improvements' for more information, by following the link on the right.