Alterations to your property
Under the terms of your lease you can only carry out alterations or additions to your home if
you get written permission from us. Your lease sets out works that will not be allowed even if you
ask for permission, so you should always check your lease first before you think about any
alterations or additions.
You will need to write and let us know what alterations or additions you would like to undertake. You must not start work before we give you permission. If you do, you might be required under your lease to put your property back into its original condition.
We will look carefully at your request. We may need to come and visit you to discuss your proposals. If this is needed, a surveyor will make an appointment with you. We will make a charge for this service and for the administrative costs involved in considering your request.
We will only refuse permission in certain cases such as safety reasons or where you want to alter something which is the responsibility of the council.
If we give you permission, you will need to make sure you have all the permissions that you need, for example, Building Regulations approval and Planning Permission. You should also remember that you will be responsible for any maintenance or servicing of anything you do to your home.
Windows
The windows are the council's responsibility as they belong to the council as part of the
structure. This means that we will not give permission for you to replace the windows and the
frames yourself. If the windows in your block need to be repaired or replaced we will arrange it
and you will have to pay your share of the cost of the work for the whole block as part of your
service charge.
Where all leaseholders in a block agree, we can change your leases to make the windows your responsibility. See Varying the lease for further details.
Loft conversions
The loft space remains the property of the council. It does not form part of your flat. If
you want to carry out a loft conversion you will first need to purchase the loft space and have it
added to your lease. We will need to consider the feasibility involving a surveyor's report and you
will be required to pay the surveyor's and other administrative costs.
If we agree to sell, we will also need to value the transaction and instruct solicitors. You will be required to pay for these costs in order to proceed.
District heating
If you are on the district heating system and you wish to install individual central heating,
written permission is required from Home Ownership Services. Permission will not be unreasonably
withheld. It is important that the work is carried out by a qualified person to a proper standard.
A
fee will be payable to cover disconnection and administration costs.
