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Permission For Tenants Own Improvements / alterations
If you are a secure council tenant you can carry out improvements/alterations to your home as long as you get our permission. We will only refuse permission for the following reasons.
- The work would reduce the value of the property.
- The work would make the property less safe.
- The work would result in additional cost to us.
- You are removing amenities within the property that we have provided to make the property suitable for occupants with specific medical needs.
Introductory tenants do not have a right to carry out improvements/alterations, but we will consider your request as we would a secure tenant.
Before carrying out improvement/alteration works you will need:
- Our written consent, and possibly
- Building Regulations Approval and/or Planning Permission
For more information on Building Regulations and Planning Permission please contact:
BMBC Building Control on 01226 772678.
BMBC Planning & Transportation on 01226 772000.
How do I apply for permission?
Please write with your request for permission to Berneslai Homes Housing Administration, PO Box 627.Barnsley, S70 9FZ.
We have several guidance leaflets which explain in more details about certain types of improvements, for example, driveways, fences and sheds.
Before we give you permission we will need to see full plans and a specification of what work you plan to do. This must include the following:
- The type of improvement or alteration.
- The name of the person or company doing the work.
- A full specification of the materials that will be used.
- When the work will be carried out.
Sometimes we may need to carry out an inspection before we give permission.
How long will it take?
We will acknowledge receipt of your letter requesting permission within 24 hours, and we aim to provide a decision within 5 days of us receiving all the information that is required, but this may take longer if we need to carry out an inspection.
For more details of our inspection procedure view Repair Inspections.
If we cannot make our decision within this time we will contact you and tell you why there is a delay.
What will it cost?
We do not charge current tenants to obtain our permission for an improvement/alteration, but we do charge for retrospective permission for ex-council properties. For advice on these charges please contact:
Berneslai Homes Housing Administration
PO Box 627
Barnsley S70 9FZ
Phone 01226 775227
e-mail : housingassistants@berneslaihomes.co.uk
There is a charge to obtain Building Regulations Approval and Planning Permission. For information on these charges please contact:
- Barnsley MBC Building Control on 01226 772678.
- Barnsley MBC Planning & Transportation on 01226 772000.
What will happen next?
You must not start any work until you have received our written permission. If you need Building Regulation Approval or Planning Permission, we will only approve your request after this has been granted, and we will need to see a copy of the documentation.
There are specific rules for changes to heating systems. For further advice please contact:
Berneslai Homes Housing Administration
PO Box 627
Barnsley S70 9FZ
Phone 01226 775227
e-mail : housingassistants@berneslaihomes.co.uk
We will not be responsible for any costs connected with the works you are asking permission to carry out. We will not be held responsible for any damage caused while the work is being done, or for any personal injury or other claims made as a result of you carrying the work out.
Once you have finished the improvement/alteration you must tell us so we can inspect the work. We can instruct you to remove, put back or make good any improvement or alteration that we have not approved and/or which does not meet our standards. We can also put right the work ourselves and recharge you the cost of this work. For further details of our recharge procedure visit the Recharging Tenants for Repairs page.
What if my request is refused?
If we refuse your request you can appeal against our decision by contacting our Customer Services team on 01226 772720.
Do you maintain any improvements/alterations I have made?
We may maintain some improvements/alterations you make to your home, but others may remain your responsibility especially if you have installed items with parts that are difficult to obtain.
We will carry out an annual gas service on a gas heating appliance but only after we have checked to ensure it has been installed correctly and meets all safety criteria.
We will tell you when we give you permission:
- If we will maintain your improvement/alteration subject to the availability of parts.
- If you will qualify for compensation if you leave your property (except for gas appliances).
Can I get compensation for any improvements I have made?
If you end your tenancy you may be able to get compensation for certain improvements. This depends upon:
- What type of improvement it is (see list below);
- When the work was carried out;
- If you have receipts for the work; and
- If we gave you permission to do the work.
You must apply for compensation within 14 days of your tenancy ending.
How much compensation will I receive?
If you are entitled to compensation, we will work out the amount by following Government guidelines. This is based on the expected (notional) life of the improvement, the cost and the actual age of the improvement. If the improvement is older than the notional life, you will not be able to claim for it.
| Qualifying Improvement | Notional Life (Years) |
| Bath or Shower | 12 |
| Wash Hand Basin | 12 |
| Toilet | 12 |
| Kitchen Sink | 10 |
| Storage Cupboards in Bathroom or Kitchen | 10 |
| Work Surfaces for Food Preparation | 10 |
| Water and Central Heating Systems | 12 |
| Thermostatic Radiator Valves | 7 |
| Insulation of Pipes, Water Tank or Cylinder | 10 |
| Loft Insulation | 20 |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | 20 |
| Draught Proofing of External Doors or Windows | 8 |
| Double Glazing or Other External Window Replacement or Secondary Glazing | 20 |
| Rewiring of the Provision of Power and Lighting or other Electrical Fittings (including Smoke Detectors) | 15 |
| Any object which improves the security of the home, but excluding Burglar Alarms | 10 |