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Home improvements

If you are planning improvements or alterations to your home, such as fitting a new kitchen or removing walls, you must first get approval from your area office before you start work.

Some types of work requires planning permission and/or building control approval - your area offcie will be able to advise you.

We have the power to force you to reverse any unauthorised work – so be sure about what you are doing before you start.

Examples of alteration work that you will need to check with your area office include:

• altering windows or doors
• building an extension
• erecting a garage or car port
• erecting a garden hut or greenhouse
• fitting a satellite dish or TV aerial
• forming car run-ins
• installing a new kitchen and/or bathroom
• installing central heating
• partitioning of rooms
• removing internal walls and/or chimney breasts

Home improvements and temporary accommodation

If we carry out major work to your home, we will try to arrange it so you can remain in your property while the work is being carried out.  In the unlikely event that you have to move to temporary accommodation, you will be charged the same rent as you would have paid if you remained in your home.

We wil arrange your temporary accommodation with regard for your needs and will try to make a like-for-like offer in the area of your choice.  Where there is limited choice, we will make a reasonable offer based on our available accommodation.  You might also be entitled to a disturbance allowance.

The arrangements will be made by your area office and housing options.