We understand that you may want to make changes to your home, complete some DIY or make home improvements during the course of your tenancy. There are some alterations that you do not need our permission to do.  However, other changes will require approval and, unfortunately, there are some which will not be allowed.

In the future if you are looking for consent to make changes to your property, please complete and submit the permissions form and a member of the Surveying team will be in contact with you. 

If you are looking to make alterations to you home to help with a disability or health issue, then you may be eligible for financial support. Please visit the Aids and Adaptations page for all the relevant information

Some improvements, such as new kitchens, bathrooms or windows have an expected period of time that they will last before they might need replacing. Before you decide to alter any of these, we suggest that you contact us to find out if any of these might be due for planned maintenance.

Please have a read of the information included on this page, including the other permissions you may need before you start any improvements on your home.  Of course if you are planning on making changes that may affect your neighbours, or their property, we would ask that you let them know what you are proposing before going ahead with any work.

Permissions Form

  • Improvements that you don’t need permission for

    Decoration or internal soft furnishings such as curtains/blinds
    Putting up shelves
    Hanging pictures/paintings
    Floor coverings (some exclusions apply, please check details)

  • Improvements you will need permission for

    Any electrical, plumbing or gas works
    Replacement or removal of walls (internal or external)
    Kitchen or bathroom refurb/installs/removals
    Driveways
    Extensions
    Fencing
    CCTV
    Patios or decking
    Any external structures (including sheds)
    Exterior painting
    Aerials/satellite dishes
    Conservatories

  • Improvements that are not allowed

    Sky Q in flats
    Hard flooring to any flats above the ground floor
    Loft conversions
    Ponds
    Communal painting

  • Other permissions that you may need to be allowed to carry out any improvements

    Planning Permission
    Building Regulations
    Party wall notice

  • Improvements within a new build defects period

    When a property is newly built, it is said to be within a “defects” period. This period usually lasts for 12 months from the property being completed. During this time, the company/developer or builder who built the property are liable for any snagging or repairs that the property may need.  Therefore, home improvements cannot be made during this period as it could affect the defects liability.

  • Moving home after making improvements

    If you move home after making an improvement we would generally expect that you leave that improvement in place, however, we do reserve the right to instruct you to reinstate the property back to its original condition should this be more appropriate. 

    If you decide to remove the improvement when you move we would expect you to reinstate the property back to its original condition.  We would ask that you notify us in advance of your moving date so we can confirm any conditions that you will need to comply with in the reinstatement of the property.

    If you sought and were given formal permission to undertake improvements to your home you may be entitled to claim compensation from us under the Right to Compensation for Improvements regulations.  For more information, please contact us at surveying.team@housingsolutions.co.uk

This link will help you will find helpful information about planning applications and advice on completing your project https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200234/home_improvement_projects

We will not unreasonably withhold permission, however, we reserve the right to refuse your request to make alterations to your property.  This maybe due to the following reasons;

    1. Alterations may make the property unsuitable for future customers
    2. Pose a health and safety risk
    3. Are likely to be objected to by your neighbours
    4. Fail to meet, or show how they would meet building or planning regulations
    5. Not in keeping with the rest of the property
    6. Risk weakening the structure of the building

Naturally we will give a full explanation if your application is refused. 

It should be possible to grant most requests without an inspection; however it may be necessary for us to visit your property in order to ascertain the suitability of your proposal. With this in mind please submit the permissions form ahead of time to ensure your requested alterations can take place within the specified time frame.  It is always better to ask permission before making any alterations, as you will be solely responsible for any cost incurred in the return of your property to its original state.

Once the work is completed, we would request that you email us so that one of our Surveyor's can visit to post inspect and ensure it meets the required standards