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Making alterations or improvements to your council home

As a secure tenant, we want you to make your home your own.  

Changes you can make without permission 

You’re responsible for maintaining your home, which means you do not need permission to make changes such as:

  • decorating
  • bathroom or kitchen tiling
  • laying carpets

View a list of tenant responsibilities for maintenance and repairs.   

Changes to your home that need permission 

For structural changes or changes to fixtures and fittings, you must: 

Changes include: 

  • removing a non-load-bearing wall 
  • internal doors 
  • built-in wardrobes and cupboards 
  • replacing kitchen or bathroom units 
  • any flooring other than carpet  
  • installing a gas or electric fire or wood-burning stove  
  • electrical work, including new wiring and central heating 
  • security fittings such as ring doorbells, burglar alarms, lighting or CCTV 

You cannot: 

  • change the heating system within your home 
  • remove or alter any fire doors in your home 

You’re responsible for maintaining or decorating your alterations or improvements. 

Changes to communal areas that need permission 

You must get permission to make changes to communal: 

  • garden walls and fences that form boundaries 
  • planting, including trees 
  • patios and driveways 
  • areas that have painted or textured coatings on walls and ceilings 

We do not usually allow you to install: 

  • security grilles on doors or windows, as these can be a fire risk 
  • satellite dishes 
  • solar panels 

How to request permission 

Contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer to discuss any changes to your home or communal area. You should do this before you start work. 

If you do not get permission, you may need to return your home to its original state. This is at your own cost.  

What happens next  

We aim to acknowledge your request within 10 working days. It may take up to 12 weeks for us to give you written permission for your alterations. 

Consider your neighbours during any improvement work. Find out when work can take place.

Finding a tradesperson 

You’re responsible for hiring a suitably qualified tradesperson. 

Any gas work must be carried out by someone registered with the Gas Safe Register.