Asking for permission
Why is it important to get permission before I start?
If you make any changes without our written permission, you have to either put things back as they were before, or bring the work up to a safe and satisfactory standard. If we have to do this work, we will charge you the cost of doing so.
This is also the case if you:
- Have our permission for the work but do not keep to any conditions we have set
- Leave any part of your home in an unsatisfactory or unsafe condition
- Cause any damage to any neighbouring property
We can in emergency situations force entry to sort the problem out, if your work leaves your home in a dangerous structural condition, such a burst pipe flooding another property or a gas leak. If we have to do this, we will charge you for the cost of this and for any damage.
Asking for permission
Complete our online form, telling us about the work you would like to carry out.
Include the materials you plan to use and any drawings/plans (with measurements if possible). In some cases, we may need to visit your home before we can give a decision.
Remember: You must not begin work until you have received our written permission.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.
Things to check before you apply:
- Additional permissions: You may need to get planning permission, buildings regulations approval, or Highways approval for some types of improvement. Contact our planning team or find out what you need permission for
- Insurance: You should also make sure you have adequate public liability insurance for the work you are planning to do
- If you are doing the improvements in order to run a business, work or trade from home: You must have our written permission, and any other appropriate approvals, to run that business first
- Asbestos: It is not always easy to tell whether a product, like a wall space or a fireplace, contains asbestos which if disturbed can pose serious health risks. If in doubt, see our asbestos information and seek advice
What happens next?
A property inspector will review your proposal and respond within 10 working days with our decision or to ask for more details like drawings or plans with specifications.
If we give you permission
Once you have our agreement in writing, and you have any other permissions needed, you can go ahead with the work, keeping to any conditions we set for this work.
Basic conditions are:
- Works must be done to a satisfactory and safe standard, in a workmanlike manner using good quality materials
- Any electrical, water or gas work must be done by industry approved contractors, which you can find on the Gas Safety Register or at Electrical Safety First
- You must provide us with copies of any test certificates or planning approvals as soon as the works are complete
- You will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the works to your home, and repairing any damage (except those covered in Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985)
We will send you the full list of conditions when granting you permission.
If we do not give you permission
You must not start any improvement work if this is the case. We will write to you to explain the reasons for the decision.
What happens when I leave or exchange my property?
You must get our written agreement for the works to stay after you leave. If this is not given, the work must be removed or replaced and the property returned to its original condition at your own cost by the time you leave.
We will consider any proposals you wish to make, but if the required work is not done before you leave, we will pursue you for the cost of any work to do this.
