Home Improvements - Adaptations in a Housing Association Property

Tenants of housing associations have what is known as a 'secure tenancy'. This means as a tenant you have the right to carry out improvements to your home, such as fitting a new bathroom suite, replacing kitchen units or building a new fireplace, provided that you first get permission from the housing association.

To apply for permission to carry out your own alterations, contact your housing association and provide full details of what you propose to do.

Each application is considered separately and permission is usually given, subject to any conditions that may be appropriate. The housing association will only refuse permission if the work would cause them expense, make it difficult to let the property in the future or give rise to complaints from other residents.

If permission is not given the housing association will write to you, giving you the reasons. If you are not satisfied with the decision you have the right to appeal. Appeals should be sent to the housing association in the first instance, and then to the County Court if you are still not satisfied.

You also have the right to appeal if you think that the conditions under which permission is given are unreasonable.

You must not start any improvement work until written permission has been given by the housing association.

The Council provides adaptations to suit the needs of disabled people or people with mobility problems. These can include providing a rail, lever taps, ramp, shower or stairlift.

For further information on housing adaptions contact the Anchor Staying Put Team.

Related Documents

All documents open in a new window. Need more help with documents? View the documents help page.