For those who rent a council/housing association property.....

lollypollywally · 2022-10-07T10:00:24+00:00

Hello, I am just wondering - those in council housing/housing assosations, have you done any home improvements to your home? If so, what have you done and have you asked permission from your landlord? Just moving into mine with my kids and would love to put my own stamp on it. It needs a lot of work anyway. Do they come and do regular house inspections?

Mumofsend · 07/10/2022 11:07

I need to ask for anything substantial ie kitchen/bathroom.

General decorating is completely fine. I don't have inspections.

Mumofsend · 07/10/2022 11:08

And usually substantial changes the permission is 9/10 given, just with a caveat of full responsibility for repairs

CallTheMobWife · 07/10/2022 11:10

I've done loads to my HA house, I'm putting in a new kitchen next year. I only need permission for structural alterations.

AnonWeeMouse · 07/10/2022 11:16

It depends.

The last one I had, I hated it, the area was dodgy, the house was horrid and needed far more doing to it than I could afford and the landlord refused to do most of it as they declared it 'Cosmetic'
Yeah, plaster falling from the walls, cracks along the ceilings, 8 massive and deep holes where previous tenant had a TV on the wall etc.

The one I'm in now is better, but there's no carpets and no white goods and there were no curtain rails up. I've done the bare minimum to make it so we can exist here for now.
But carpets are more than I can afford at over £400 room. Sofas are expensive. Washer, fridge freezer, oven etc can't afford those really.

All these things come way way way way before I worry about painting the walls iyswim.

I don't know if I'm willing to put in the cash to do it all either. The estate is not pleasant, drugs and crime etc. Someone was shot less than a mile from me not too long ago.

Original poster

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 11:17

Mumofsend · 07/10/2022 11:08

And usually substantial changes the permission is 9/10 given, just with a caveat of full responsibility for repairs

I'm hoping this is the case, my house has disability equipment in which I desperately need moving. I can't move in until they've given me the ok to do so. I've been waiting a week now. I'd also really like to put a combi boiler in as the current one is going to cost me an absolute fortune.

I don't think these are major changes but just more to make it more of a home for us. My housing association are terrible at communicating so it's just a waiting game. I'd love to do more to it too - get rid of the old doors and put some new ones on.

OP posts:

Original poster

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 11:20

AnonWeeMouse · 07/10/2022 11:16

It depends.

The last one I had, I hated it, the area was dodgy, the house was horrid and needed far more doing to it than I could afford and the landlord refused to do most of it as they declared it 'Cosmetic'
Yeah, plaster falling from the walls, cracks along the ceilings, 8 massive and deep holes where previous tenant had a TV on the wall etc.

The one I'm in now is better, but there's no carpets and no white goods and there were no curtain rails up. I've done the bare minimum to make it so we can exist here for now.
But carpets are more than I can afford at over £400 room. Sofas are expensive. Washer, fridge freezer, oven etc can't afford those really.

All these things come way way way way before I worry about painting the walls iyswim.

I don't know if I'm willing to put in the cash to do it all either. The estate is not pleasant, drugs and crime etc. Someone was shot less than a mile from me not too long ago.

Ahh I'm sorry. That's crap. I completely get why you wouldn't want to put money in.

My house doesn't have carpets either. Needs some plastering doing (don't see why I need permission for that - it needs doing so I can decorate)

I am fortunate that I can pay for works to be done myself. I don't expect them to do it for me but I just want to know if I can. The area isn't too bad, mainly just kids being idiots.

OP posts:

Smileeriley · 07/10/2022 11:22

Can I ask what you pay in rent?

Original poster

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 11:25

Smileeriley · 07/10/2022 11:22

Can I ask what you pay in rent?

Can I ask why you would like to know?

OP posts:

FarmerRefuted · 07/10/2022 11:28

Anything structural or that significantly alters the exterior (e.g., fencing, driveway, etc) needs permission, they will almost always grant it though. For my area you fill in a form saying what you want to do, a housing inspector comes out and has a look to see what you're planning, will it fit, are there any reasons it can't be done, is it something the council should do themselves, that sort of thing. You then get a letter saying yes or no. Once the work is finished you ring the housing inspector back out to come check it's been done to a satisfactory standard. You're responsible for any repairs/maintenance for a period of 2-5 years (depending on what you've done) at which point the council takes over ownership then when you move out they compensate you for approved works via their buyback scheme (if they were unapproved works then it gets ripped out, council fixtures put in to replace it, and you get billed).

We've changed an internal wall around to make one of the bedrooms slightly bigger, put a new fence up, and have permission to relocate a radiator and knock out a window/change a window to patio doors but haven't done that yet. It all got approved with no issues.

MrsMigginsCat · 07/10/2022 11:30

We've put in a new kitchen and put in new doors. No problem getting permission. A lot of our neighbours have knocked down the half wall between the kitchen and dining room too.

ForeverFailing · 07/10/2022 11:30

Depends on what’s in your handbook. You should receive a list of responsibilities and what you will need permission for regarding alterations. I’m not in council housing anymore but I wouldn’t have been able to upgrade gas/electric but would be able to put a new kitchen in, as long as I have their permission.

Original poster

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 11:37

Thank you all. I haven't been given a list of what is and isn't allowed. All it says in my tenancy is that home improvements needs to be authorised which I understand. Its taken me days to find out how I need to do this - fill out a form which I've now managed to get and send back but their communication is so bad that I don't know how long it will be.

I just want to get in there and make a start - I apologise if I sound greedy or impatient. Me and my kids have been homeless for 18 months now so I'm desperate to just get in and get on with it

OP posts:

Noteverybodylives · 07/10/2022 11:40

Can I ask what you pay in rent?

This question is completely irrelevant considering you haven’t asked what area it’s in, if it’s a new build, how many bedrooms does it have, if it’s a house, bungalow or flat etc.

If she said £100 that could be very good or very bad depending on multiple things.

FarmerRefuted · 07/10/2022 11:48

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 11:37

Thank you all. I haven't been given a list of what is and isn't allowed. All it says in my tenancy is that home improvements needs to be authorised which I understand. Its taken me days to find out how I need to do this - fill out a form which I've now managed to get and send back but their communication is so bad that I don't know how long it will be.

I just want to get in there and make a start - I apologise if I sound greedy or impatient. Me and my kids have been homeless for 18 months now so I'm desperate to just get in and get on with it

Don't worry about sounding greedy or impatient and don't feel like you need to justify your right to council housing by explaining that you've been homeless.

You applied for council housing, you were added to their list, you were allocated a property. That's all anyone needs to know.

I hope you get your keys soon and that you have many happy years in your new home.

JenniferWooley · 07/10/2022 11:49

You'll be able to remove the disability equipment if it's not required but you won't be allowed to change the boiler.

The HA won't change it just because it's not economical either - mine failed the gas safety check every year for 5 years but they just repaired it. They finally replaced it this year due to them being unable to access the part that needed to be replaced due to the boiler being situated to close to the wall & me begging the gas engineer to condemn the fucker

rageapplied · 07/10/2022 11:49

I wouldn't have been allowed to change the heating system. Not without approval.

Yabado · 07/10/2022 11:56

My sister has a HA house
they are pretty good
yearly gas / electric checks
every 5 years a house survey / inspection to see if anything needs doing

I was at her house last week when they did the 5 year inspection and my sister had put in a new bathroom / kitchen a few years ago didn’t ask and they just said lovely - fab kitchen 😂

They did say they would be replacing the windows / doors and patio door in 2024

I think you can do cosmetic changes but it would depends on the council / HA

but nothing structural so no knocking walls down
although my sister had doors going from the kitchen into the living room and she put up a false wall and they have never said anything

She also has a huge covered pergola in the garden and they said nothing because it’s not a fixed fixture and can be easily removed
And she put a gate at the entrance

I think her HA don’t care as long as it’s an improvement to the property

PureBlackVoid · 07/10/2022 11:57

Before you do any major changes, ask them when the improvements are due. Things like boiler upgrades are cyclical, and if it’s an old one it might be due soon.

Consider maintenance costs too, anything you put in yourself, they won’t take on the responsibility for - though they might still have a duty to service a boiler as the landlord, but not carry out repairs. Or they might require you to arrange servicing and submit evidence to them regularly.

Decorating isn’t an issue but still worth finding out when other upgrades are due because they will decorate the kitchen/bathroom as part of the works.

What is the disability equipment?

Original poster

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 12:03

PureBlackVoid · 07/10/2022 11:57

Before you do any major changes, ask them when the improvements are due. Things like boiler upgrades are cyclical, and if it’s an old one it might be due soon.

Consider maintenance costs too, anything you put in yourself, they won’t take on the responsibility for - though they might still have a duty to service a boiler as the landlord, but not carry out repairs. Or they might require you to arrange servicing and submit evidence to them regularly.

Decorating isn’t an issue but still worth finding out when other upgrades are due because they will decorate the kitchen/bathroom as part of the works.

What is the disability equipment?

We don't have a bath, it's a wet room with bars and a chair - sorry I don't know the correct name of the equipment. A very elderly lady lived in the property before us.

However my son is autistic and cannot handle showers. He can only have a bath, he can't tolerate the water on his skin from a shower hence why I need it all taken out and a bath putting in. That's the main one, the other issues I have can wait but the bathroom cant. I'm lucky that I have family - my brother is a builder/pretty much does anything and my uncle is a plumber. They've both said they will do the work free of charge, I just need to pay for materials which is no problem. The one benefit I've had about being homeless is I've managed to save up a fair chunk of money. I knew council houses aren't great so I've used it to my advantage and saved so I can throw some money at it to make it nicer.

OP posts:

Testina · 07/10/2022 12:03

I’m intrigued to know what disability equipment stops you from moving in! Just curiosity on my part.

My sister has a council house and it would definitely be an absolute no to her, to mess with the boiler!

Testina · 07/10/2022 12:05

Cross posted! Hope you get the bath sorted soon for him!

Original poster

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 12:05

JenniferWooley · 07/10/2022 11:49

You'll be able to remove the disability equipment if it's not required but you won't be allowed to change the boiler.

The HA won't change it just because it's not economical either - mine failed the gas safety check every year for 5 years but they just repaired it. They finally replaced it this year due to them being unable to access the part that needed to be replaced due to the boiler being situated to close to the wall & me begging the gas engineer to condemn the fucker

Yes my uncle is a plumber/gas engineer and he's been to look at the house. He said where the boiler is in the house is not to regulations. Similar to you - if anything goes wrong with it then they won't be able to access it because of where it is. They've left no gap between the water tank and the boiler.

He's given me a list of things that aren't to standard regulations too but I suppose it's just the way it is with housing.

OP posts:

AnonWeeMouse · 07/10/2022 12:19

lollypollywally · 07/10/2022 11:20

Ahh I'm sorry. That's crap. I completely get why you wouldn't want to put money in.

My house doesn't have carpets either. Needs some plastering doing (don't see why I need permission for that - it needs doing so I can decorate)

I am fortunate that I can pay for works to be done myself. I don't expect them to do it for me but I just want to know if I can. The area isn't too bad, mainly just kids being idiots.

Show quote history

I never really got why Housing Associations and council rip out carpets tbh

They cost a lot of money and it's money a lot don't have. I went and got a quote for the whole house and nearly died of shock. 😂
I'm on Universal Credit, I can't spare 3 months of cash to get carpets.

I think your best bet tbh is call your Landlord and ask them, go through every tiny thing and see what they'll do and what they won't and then ask for permission to get done what they won't.
Hopefully you'll get it all sorted and have a good home for many years. 😁

MinnyMous · 07/10/2022 12:34

I think you should be able to get some funding for your child’s bathing needs- split funding between council and HA . Might be worth asking them about it. Also, the HA should remove disability equipment and change the boiler. My HA has updated my boiler to a combi. It’s worth asking for though I appreciate you might not want to wait.

PureBlackVoid · 07/10/2022 12:36

Ah my apologies, I misunderstood and thought you wanted to move existing permanent equipment in.

I think that will be fine too, though they may want to do a pre-inspection before you do any work. At least the HAs I have dealt with did. Most of them are quite reasonable with doing your own improvements, they will just want to document what has been done so they can have a record of where the maintenance responsibilities lie.