Before secure housing tenants can make changes and improvements to their home, they must ask for council permission. Changes you must ask us for permission for include:
- building sheds, garages and greenhouses or putting up extra fencing
- building an extension or conservatory
- making changes to your garden, like constructing a pond or concreting over it
- making changes to the electrics.
Download the request permission to make a change to your council home form.
We give permission for most home improvements, but often attach conditions which usually include you agreeing to:
- use a competent contractor and complete the work to an acceptable standard
- a time limit for completing the work
- submit plans for the work
- get building regulations approvals and planning permission
- tell us when you’ve finished the work so we can inspect it
- provide us with copies of certificates including electrical and building regulations.
Getting the right permissions to make changes
To make changes to your council home you must:
- complete the permission form to get written permission from Slough Borough Council
- check if you need to apply for planning permission
- check if you need a building regulation application.
If you carry out any changes without permission, you will have to pay to return the property to its original condition. If you do not pay, we will have the work done and recharge you.
If permission is given to make changes
Once you have all the right permissions, you can go ahead with the work. Depending on the scale of improvements, we may want to inspect your home before and after.
You are responsible for repairing and maintaining any home improvement you make.
If you get a contractor to do the work, make sure the contractor has disposed of the rubbish correctly. Fly-tipping is a crime. If you are doing the work, dispose of your waste properly.
If permission to make changes is refused
Permission to make changes will be refused if we have a good reason. We normally prevent changes if the work will affect the safety of your building, cause a future problem with maintenance of the property, or cause nuisance to your neighbour/s.
Refusals are communicated to you in writing, either by post or email. If you disagree with our decision or the conditions we have attached, you can appeal in a letter to us.