If you’re a leaseholder (not renting) and you want to make changes to your home, you’ll need to let us know. Based on the terms of your lease, you must ask us for formal approval before going ahead.
Some examples of work we’ll need permission for include:
- Conservatories or extensions
- A new kitchen or bathroom
- A new boiler or central heating system
- External work to the property
- Structural work
- Fitting new doors or windows.
To discuss your plans or get advice, you can contact our Commercial Transaction Team on 01925 592610.
What we’ll need from you
- Confirmation that the contractor you intend to use is qualified to carry out this work i.e. Gas Safe or NICEIC (electrical works) registered.
- Copies of plans/drawings for the intended work (for structural changes and extensions), together with the appropriate planning permission or building regulation approval.
Funding
If you’re intending to remortgage or apply for a secured loan to pay for the work, you’ll need formal approval from us before any loans can be completed.
Insurance
If the improvements are of a fixed nature and likely to be covered by our buildings insurance, we advise you to contact your insurer directly to make sure that the work you’re doing is covered by the policy.
If you need to make a claim in the future and it’s found that this is a result of the work carried out, it may affect any settlement you receive.
Keep your documents
Keep any paperwork (including approvals, guarantees or certificates) relating to the improvements as you’ll need them if you decide to sell your home.
Maintenance
We won’t maintain or repair any additions to your home. So make sure you’re happy with the contractor before work starts.
Future impact
If you’ve made changes to your home (for example, turning three bedrooms into two) be aware that we, or a future buyer, might ask you to return the property to its original layout before you sell it. This is because the work may have reduced the value of the property.
How to apply for permission
It’s important that you get our permission before you make any changes, otherwise you could be in breach of your lease. This may prevent you from being able to sell your home or secure a further mortgage on it.
You can apply for permission through Your Home Hub. You’ll be asked to provide details of your plans, including:
- Any planning permission or building regulations required
- Details of the building contractors you intend to use
- Consent from neighbours (party wall agreement)
- Information on any impact the work could make to the services in the building (if you live in a flat).
If we’re happy with the plans, we’ll grant permission on condition that you pay for the work, and it’s done by a reputable builder.
You don’t need our permission to decorate or carry out simple repairs.