Making improvements

You must obtain written permission from the Council, as landlord, before you carry out any works to the demised property which will:

• Alter the construction
• Alter the height elevation
• Alter the architectural appearance
• Alter or cut any of the principle walls or timbers.

You must also obtain the written permission of the Council, as landlord before you:

• Erect or build any additional or substituted building
• Enclose the portico
• Erect any fences, poles, wires, aerials or other erection

Unauthorised alterations can cause problems when you try to sell your home. Your purchaser will want to ensure that the alterations that have been carried out do not breach the terms of the lease.

You should send your initial request to carry out improvements or alterations to the Home Ownership Unit.

When you send in your request you should include as many details as possible about the works you wish to undertake. Depending on the type of works, you may be asked to provide professionally prepared plans for the works.

You should be aware that you might incur costs in providing information to support your application without any guarantee that the Council, as landlord, will give approval for the works.

The landlord’s building surveyor may need to visit your home to see what you intend to do, before a decision can be made.

Once you have obtained the Council’s permission, as the landlord, to carry out the works, it is your responsibility as a leaseholder to obtain all other permissions needed for the works. This will be a condition of the landlord’s permission.

Depending on the type of work that you intend to undertake, you may also require Planning Permission. You should also notify the Building Control as they may need to inspect the works whilst they are in progress.  Failure to obtain the correct Planning and Building controls consent can have serious consequences, you could be required to return your home to its original condition if the works fail to meet requirements.
If we refuse permission, we will tell you why we do not consider the works are appropriate. You then have the right to appeal by writing to the head of housing.