Doing your own alterations

As a leaseholder you have the right to improve your home, but you must first get our written permission. This is because, as landlord, we have an investment in the block and a responsibility to the other tenants and leaseholders. We will only refuse permission if we have a good reason. You may also need to get planning permission and building consent before starting work.

We do not need to know about minor work such as decorating, but we do need to know about any alterations, that affect the structure, walls, windows, floors, ceilings, doorframes, plumbing, and electrical services.

The outside window frames belong to the landlord. You must not replace your windows unless we have given you permission in writing. This is to ensure all the windows match.

What sort of alterations do I need permission for?

You need permission for:

• any addition or change to the structure or services in your home, including fixtures and fittings such as heating, kitchen units and bathroom replacement 
   
• aerials or satellite dishes
   
• outside decoration (the type of paint may need approving so that it’s compatible with paints we may use in future) 
   
• window and door replacements.

How do I get permission?

Write to the Leasehold and Home Ownership Manager, Gloucester City Homes, Railway House, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DG. You will need to say exactly what you want to do and include a drawing or plan. Before we can decide, a building surveyor may need to visit your home and see what you intend to do.  There will be a charge for this visit.

We will give you an answer within seven days of receiving your request or one month if we need more information. If we refuse permission we will tell you why. You then have the right to a review.

To ask for a review you should write to the Head of Asset Management and Investment Services, at the same address. within 4 weeks of being informed of the decision. We will review the case and inform you in writing of the outcome. If permission is still not granted we will tell you why.

If you are unhappy with the decision, you may take the matter to arbitration. You should get independent legal advice before doing this, and you would have to pay part of the costs.

If we refuse permission it will be for a good reason. If you go ahead with work after we have refused permission you will be breaking the terms of your lease.

The permission we give you to go ahead with work is not the same as planning permission. You are responsible for getting any necessary planning permission or building regulations approval. We will normally make it a condition that you do this when we give you permission for the work.

If you do something without permission we have the right to put things back as they were and charge you for it.