Permission for own alterations

You can complete this form here if you want to apply for permission for improvements to your home.

This includes things like water meters, installing kitchens and bathrooms, gas or electric fires, showers, new doors and windows, tiling, stairlift, alarms, porches, conservatories, lean-to, walls, loft boarding, fencing, flooring, cavity wall insulation, satellite dish, sheds, kennels, decking, outside taps, ramp, parking areas, driveways or paths.

Please also include:

• Information on 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

We will sometimes carry out an inspection before we give you permission.

Our written consent is essential. You’ll also possibly need Building Regulations’ approval and/or planning permission. You can find out more about planning permission this here.

You can also contact BMBC Building Control on 01226 772678 and BMBC Planning and Transportation on 01226 772000.

We will aim to provide a decision within 5 working days of us receiving all the information required. This may take longer if we need to carry out an inspection. If we can’t make a decision at this time we will contact you and tell you why there is a delay.

You must not start any work until you’ve received our written permission and received Building Regulation Approval or Planning Permission.

Once you’ve received all relevant permission in writing, you can carry out the works. Once you’ve finished you must tell us so we can inspect it. We can instruct you to remove, put back or make any improvement/alteration that we have not approved and can put the work right ourselves and recharge the cost to you. For further information visit ‘Recharging for repairs’.

We may maintain some improvements/alterations you make to your home but others may remain your responsibility, especially if you’ve installed items with parts that are difficult to obtain. We’ll carry out an annual gas service on gas heating appliances but only after we’ve checked to ensure it has been installed correctly and meets safety criteria. We’ll tell you when we give permission if we’ll maintain your improvement/alteration and if you’ll qualify for compensation if you leave your property.

We don’t charge current tenants for obtaining permission but we do charge for retrospective permission for ex-council properties. For more information please contact Berneslai Homes Corporate Administration at corporateadmin@berneslaihomes.co.uk, write to us at PO Box 627, Barnsley, S70 9FZ or call us on 01226 775227.

There is a charge to get Building Regulations Approval and Planning Permission. For information on these charges please visit Barnsley Council’s website at http://www.barnsley.gov.uk

We may maintain some improvements/alterations you make to your home but others may remain your responsibility, especially if you’ve installed items with parts that are difficult to obtain. We will carry out an annual gas service on gas heating appliances but only after we’ve checked to ensure it has been installed correctly and meets safety criteria.

We will tell you when we give you permission whether:

• We will continue to repair/maintain your improvement; and
• If you will qualify for compensation if you leave your property.

We can 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 facilities in the property that we have installed to make the property suitable for occupants with specific medical needs.

If we refuse your request you can appeal against our decision by contact Customer Services at customerservices@berneslaihomes.co.uk or calling 01226 774376.

Whilst introductory tenants don’t have a legal right to carry out improvements or alterations until they’re a secure tenant, we will in certain circumstances allow Introductory Tenants to carry out improvements or alterations. Should you wish to carry out any improvements/alterations, please complete our online form or confirm your request in writing.

If you end your tenancy and move out, you may be able to get compensation for certain improvements. This depends on:

• the type of improvement it is;
• 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.

You will need to download, complete and return a Compensation for tenants improvements scheme claim form.

We will work out the amount following government guidelines. These are 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 expected/notional life, you won’t be able to claim for it.