Permission for improvements and alterations

It’s important to remember that you must request permission before making improvements or alterations to your home.

Permission requests are essential to ensure your home remains compliant and safe, while maintaining its long-term value, and we try not to deny any request without a reasonable explanation.

On average, we receive around 60 permission requests a month, and we aim to get back to everyone within 4 – 6 weeks of the application being submitted.

However, there are instances where we need to collaborate with other teams to consider the request. This includes considerations such as asbestos and fire safety.

Whilst we want you to love your home and make changes to suit your style or needs, failing to get our approval can be costly, and we may recharge you to put anything back to how it was when you moved in.

Applying for permission

The only way you can apply for permission for an improvement or alteration is via myHavebury.

You can use the desktop version from the link above or download the app from your app store.

Apple users click here Google Play users click here

Here are some other things we need to consider when reviewing your requests:

Legal and contractual compliance. We have rules in place to maintain the quality and safety of our homes.
Structural and safety considerations. Some alterations, such as knocking down walls or installing new plumbing, can impact the safety and integrity of the building. We need to assess whether the proposed changes comply with building regulations and do not endanger other residents.
Considering future residents. We must also consider whether the proposed changes will affect any future residents. This could be in terms of security or safety.
Avoiding costly recharges. If you make unauthorised changes, you may be required to restore the home to its original state at your own expense. This can be costly and time-consuming. Seeking permission beforehand prevents unnecessary financial pressures.

We have recently given permission for satellite dishes, a kitchen water filter system and an outside tap.

Please remember you need permission to paint/wrap kitchen cabinets and work tops, lay laminate flooring, and install a satellite dish. It’s always best to ask for permission if you are in doubt.

Here are things we have refused and the reasons why:

A cat flap – the warranty for the door could no longer be valid, and it’s been found that these cause draught issues.
Painting bathroom tiles – could mask any underlying issues with grout or sealant and cause future maintenance issues.
Fitting additional floorboards in the loft area – the lofts were not built for this purpose and may cause structural damage.
Decking in the garden – after a recent incident, we have decided not to approve any permissions for decking (regardless of materials).