If you want to make improvements to your council home, you may need permission from us.

You do not need permission for general decoration inside your home such as painting, wallpaper, shelving or adding curtains or blinds.

You need permission from us for works such as:

• landscaping such as decking, patios, raised planters and sheds - general gardening does not require permission
• changes to the fittings in the kitchen or bathroom
• changes to the structure of your home like walls, internal doors or ceilings
• making changes to the flooring in any room of your home – you do not need permission for carpets

Alterations we cannot approve

Changes to your council home

We will not approve:

• cat flaps – on any door or window
• staircases – any changes to the balustrade, banister, railing or spindles
• any solid fuel burners including wood
• modifications to fire doors
• modifications to utility pipework, including drains
• EV chargers where there is no private driveway
• boarding of lofts
• loft rooms
• loft hatch changes
• changes to fire alarm/sprinkler systems

Changes to communal areas

We will not approve:

• fixed children play equipment that cannot be moved and stored at the end of each day
• birdboxes on council owned tree
• digging up communal garden areas
• ponds in communal gardens
• fencing around communal area for personal use
• changes to balconies, such as in filling, creating another room, blocking a fire exit
• hanging baskets on balconies
• tree planting
• structural changes to communal facilities, for example, creating car ports

EV chargers

Permission will only be granted if a permitted driveway and dropped kerb is in place. You can apply for a dropped kerb online.

Once the EV charger has been installed, you must provide a copy of the electrical installation certificate.

Sheds in private gardens

A garden shed is permitted, however it must:

• be away from any heat and fuel sources such as boiler flues and air source heat pumps
• comply with certain regulations about distance from your boundary
• comply with planning regulations regarding distance from the property boundary
• not be a brick built structure
• have a hard standing base

Asbestos

We check our asbestos records when considering your application. If the report shows that asbestos is present where you want to make your alteration, it is your responsibility to remove the asbestos using a qualified contractor and that works carried out follow HSE guidelines.

A copy of the consignment note for the asbestos removal should be forwarded to us as soon as possible.