As a Council tenant, you have rights as part of your tenancy agreement. If you’re a secure tenant, one of them is to carry out improvements and alterations to your home, with permission.
We can refuse permission if we consider the works to be dangerous, they reduce the value of the property, they restrict the property, or we would have an obligation to repair any fixtures. We don't allow structural works to our buildings unless exceptional circumstances such as aids and adaptions.
If you carry out works without permission, we may give you notice to put the property back to how it was on the day you took over the tenancy, or if you refuse, we may carry out the works and counter charge you directly.
How to request permission
To request permission, you can contact our housing team on estates.management@brentwood.gov.uk explaining in detail what you plan to do.
You should wait for your approval or set details of any conditions that are to be met, then you should let us know when works are completed as we may need to check works are satisfactory.
For technical advice, email the repairs team on repairs@brentwood.gov.uk.
Find out more about Planning and Building control.
You must get permission first in writing for:
- fishponds, outside taps, sheds, greenhouses and outhouses
- external hardstanding, addition or removal of fencing, paving, pathways, excavations, drop kerbs, driveways allowed only in certain circumstances
- all heating including radiators, towel rails, gas fires, fireplace removal
- electrical, fittings or sockets, spotlights, external PIR lighting, removal or disturbing of heat, smoke, heat or carbon monoxide detectors
- windows, internal and external doors
- external painting of the building - this would have to match and not be bright colours
- flooring, timber or laminate
- kitchen, bathroom or toilet upgrades, water meters, additions including showers, mixer taps, pipework, tiling or bathroom fixtures
- satellite dishes, tv aerials and CB satellites or antennas
We don’t allow structural works or the installation of:
- knock throughs or the removal of walls
- installation of patio doors, wood burners, conservatories, garages, additional toilets
- converting outhouses into habitable area especially toilet or kitchen
- car ports, chimney breast removal, loft conversions, porches, removal of balustrading to a staircase, making one bedroom into two
- laminate flooring in flats above ground floor
- converting a garden area for parking
Terms and Conditions for undertaking works
If you carry out works in your property, you would then be liable for all future repairs and maintenance such as fitting a shower, front door, patio, electrical fittings, kitchen or fence. If we have to attend to carry out a repair on your improvement or fitting due to a health and safety risk, you would be recharged the full cost.
If any additional costs are incurred when we're maintaining the original structure of the property, such as specialist scaffolding costs, excavation costs which require movement of the structure you maintain or extra costs incurred as a result of the structure, due to your alteration, you will be recharged for these expenses.
If your tenancy finishes you would be expected to return the property and fixtures to how the property was on the day you took over the tenancy. You would also be counter charged for any reinstatement works bringing the property back to the Council’s lettable standard.
If a proposed project involved building works, we would need a copy of all details including granted permission from building and planning control, and party wall notices.
Any window or door replacements would have to be undertaken by a reputable accredited FENSA contractor while matching the existing profile in the block or street.
For any electrical works completed, we would need a copy of your minor works certification.
For any external excavation, we would expect a CAT scan or GPR survey to be done to ensure no cables, drains or supplies have been disturbed.