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Improving or altering your council house

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Improving or altering your council house

If you are a secure tenant in one of our properties, you may have the right to make certain improvements or alterations to your home (at your own expense).

You must apply, give us full details and then wait for our written permission.

Introductory tenants can't make alterations or improvements to their home for 12 months. But we will consider alterations such as laminate flooring, a shower over the bath or installation of tv and internet services.

Alterations and improvements include any work you carry out which changes or improves the fabric of the building, its grounds or the fixtures and fittings inside.

These can include:

  • replacing kitchen or bathroom fixtures or fittings
  • replacing windows and external or internal doors
  • changing lights
  • adding or changing electric points or circuits
  • renewing internal doors
  • building or knocking down walls inside or outside the property (including the garden)
  • adding internal walls
  • installing stair lift, showers, aerials and satellite dishes
  • removing hedges or cutting down trees within the boundary of the premises
  • installing or replacing fences
  • installing decking, paths or patio areas
  • erecting extensions, porches, sheds and outbuildings (including greenhouses)
  • adding wood burners

If you are in any doubt, please contact the Housing team who will be able to help you.

We won't be unreasonable when deciding, but we will insist you do the work to a certain standard and may impose other conditions (including any legal requirements you need to take into account).

You also need to make anyone you hire aware of the presence of asbestos in the areas you're working on. This may mean us carrying out an asbestos survey - particularly if the work involves disturbing walls, floors  or ceilings.

Apply

Tell us exactly what you are planning and attach plans, photographs or drawings to ensure we fully understand your proposal.

Provide as much information as possible, otherwise we may ask you to provide further details.

Request an alteration or improvement

We will write to you to let you know if your application has been approved or refused. 

If approved, the letter will outline any conditions you must meet. If your application is refused, the letter will confirm why.

Once you have authorisation, work can start. Let us know when the work has been completed so that an inspection to take place (if needed).

Last updated 24 March 2025

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