Before you apply
We ask that applicants discuss with neighbours whenever possible any proposal that may affect neighbours in any way. Please contact your Housing Officer or the Fixtures and Fittings team for support on any issue around a disputed proposal.
Rent arrears.
If you have rent arrears on your current tenancy, court costs or have rent arrears on a former property outstanding you will be refused permission. Additionally, if there are any legal proceedings being undertaken for tenancy breaches for anti-social behaviour you will be refused. If refused on these grounds, we will write to you to explain the reasons.
Make Your Intentions Clear in Your Application
We stress the need for applicants to disclose as much information as possible so we can fully understand your intended work. We may attach reasonable conditions to your application to which the work must comply with. Failure to comply with attached conditions, or deviation from the agreed scope of works may result in permission being rescinded.
Additional permissions
We treat each application on a case-by-case basis, and if we believe that additional permissions are required, we may place your application on hold until we have evidence that these are in place; if we do this, we will contact you to let you know, and act as a point of contact to assist with your application.
All other applications are approved on the condition that any additional permissions required are secured by the tenant. It is incumbent upon the tenant to ensure they comply with any regulatory requirements; failure to do so may result in the approval being revoked and the tenant will be required to return the property to its original state.
Examples of instances of additional permissions include:
- projects that exceed the limits of Permitted Development (usually needing full planning permission)
- turning your home, or part of your home into a business – this may need agreement from Housing as well as possible Planning Permission (please contact your Housing Officer)
- work that requires a Building Control notice
- a party wall agreement
When applying to make an alteration to your home, you are applying for the landlord’s authorisation to go ahead. Any permission issued may come with specific conditions attached, and in all cases where necessary, additional consents such as these must be secured by the tenant.
If you intend to carry out development and want to be sure that it does not require planning permission, you may apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development. Check if you need planning permission.