Alterations and improvements (section 9)

9.1. You must obtain our prior written permission before carrying out any alterations, improvements or structural work to the property. Permission must be obtained in writing.

9.2. Examples of additions, improvements or alterations where you need our written permission include:

• Installing your own kitchen including worktops, drawers and cupboard doors
• Installing your own bathroom
• Undertaking external painting and decoration
• Erecting a conservatory
• Laying or re-surfacing a driveway
• Installing your own fences
• Building or demolishing a garage
• Erecting garden ponds and/or greenhouses
• Erecting hard standing for vehicles
• Erecting an outbuilding
• Erecting a shed
• Installing doorbells

This is not a full list.

9.3. If we refuse permission, we will tell you why. If we give permission, it may be subject to some conditions that you must comply with.

9.4. We will not give you permission to do anything which compromises the fire safety of the property. This includes, but is not limited to, fixtures to the structure and/or exterior of a block of flats, including aerials.

9.5. We will not give you permission if permission is sought for an installation which is to be fixed to rendering, cladding, door, window frames or surrounds or the roof.

9.6. You may need to obtain other permissions such as planning permission or building regulations approval. It is your responsibility to establish whether you need planning permission or building regulations approval and obtain it.

9.7. You must not alter the fire rating of your property by removing walls, doors and/or door closers. If you seek permission for such work, it will be refused.

9.8. You must not remove external doors. If you seek permission for such work, it will be refused. This includes the entrance door to the property.

9.9. Any gas, electrical, plumbing or building work must be carried out by a suitably qualified and competent contractor. If we contact you and ask to inspect the work, you must provide access for an inspection. If we consider that any work that has been carried out is not safe and/or does not meet Planning, Building Control or other regulations, we will ask you to stop work immediately. In these circumstances, we may ask you to rectify the works that are not safe and/or do not meet Planning, Building Control or other regulations or we may carry out work to put the problem right and re-charge you the cost of this.

9.10. You are responsible for repairing and maintaining any improvements you have made yourself or taken responsibility for. The improvement you have made yourself or taken responsibility for may result in an increase in rent.

9.11. If you do not maintain your alterations, improvements and/or additions (including sheds and outbuildings) and they become a risk to health and/or safety and/or are detrimental to the maintenance of our property, we will tell you to remove the addition, improvement or alteration. If you do not do this, we can do the work and re-charge you for it.

9.12. You can request that we take over responsibility for the repair and maintenance of your improvements, additions or alterations. If we agree, we will increase your rent to cover the cost of this.

9.13. If you carry out any improvements, additions or alterations without obtaining our prior written permission, we may ask you to return the property to how it was when your tenancy commenced and if you do not do this, we can take steps to do the work and re-charge you the costs of doing so. We can also take legal action against you for breaching your Tenancy Agreement. This includes seeking a Court Order against you compelling you to remove the unauthorised improvements, additions or alterations.

9.14. You have a right to re-claim improvement costs for certain improvements that you have made to your home after 1st April 1994 and for which you have obtained our written permission. Contact us for more details.