Alterations

Alterations
As a council tenant, you can carry out alterations or improvements to your home but you must get our written consent first. You need to do this because your tenancy agreement does not allow you to make some alterations. For example, you must not artex the internal walls of the property or fix polystyrene tiles to ceilings. Other alterations may also need planning permission or building regulations approval. We will be happy to advise you on the required approvals.

All such improvements must be carried out to our satisfaction and will normally become our property when the tenancy is ended. Alternatively we may request you remove structures at the end of your tenancy at your own expense.

We have introduced a tenant improvement voucher scheme. This means that you may be able to apply for money towards the cost of some improvement works. More information on the voucher scheme can be found here.

Right to compensation for improvements
At the end of your tenancy, you have the right to claim compensation from us for improvements you have made to your home with our consent. You can only apply for compensation for certain kinds of improvement that started on or after 1 April 1994. Please contact the repairs team if you would like any further information. Or, you can find out more about the Right to Compensation from the Communites and Local Government website.

Adaptations for disabled tenants
We do our best to meet the needs of tenants who are disabled, by offering them suitable alternative housing when it is available, or by adapting their existing accommodation to make it more suitable for their needs. You can find more information on adaptations here.

Page last updated on 30 June 2011