Who can make alterations to their home 

Secure tenants have the right to make alterations to their home and garden. However, it is a condition of your tenancy agreement that you must seek written permission from Colchester Borough Homes. Leaseholders may also need written permission for some home improvements. Introductory tenants may decorate their homes but cannot make other alterations. 

What is an alteration? 

Any changes to your home, other than decorating, are considered alterations. You must not make changes or fix anything to your home without written permission. 

There are some alterations that are not permitted, these are: 

• Conservatories 

• Car ports 

• Cat flaps 

• Loft conversions 

• Decking 

• Extensions 

• Log burners 

• Laminate flooring if you live in a 1st or 2nd floor flat

Examples of alterations that you need permission for are: 

• Installing your own bathroom or kitchen 

• Changing any electrical fitting 

• EV Charging Point 

• Changing the layout of your home, e.g. knocking down walls 

• Taking doors off 

• Fitting gas appliances 

• Fitting satellite and phone dishes 

• Fitting laminate flooring 

• Altering or erecting fencing or brick walling

Unauthorised Alterations 

If you carry out an alteration without permission, Colchester Borough Homes will need to carry out an inspection to grant retrospective permission. You will be charged for this inspection. If retrospective permission is not granted you will be asked to remove the alteration at your cost. 

Laminate Flooring 

If you do not lift the flooring, we will arrange for a contractor to do it and recharge you for the cost. 

Electric Vehicle Charging Points

The Government has set targets to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Colchester City Council is committed to supporting this change in a safe and practical way.

We recognise that more residents will move to electric vehicles. We are planning how to support this while keeping our homes and shared spaces safe.

Conditions you must follow
To protect residents and shared areas, the following conditions apply.

Charging unit and cabling

• The charging unit must be fixed to the wall of your property
• All work must be carried out by a qualified electrician
• You must provide an electrical installation certificate to Colchester Borough Homes

Leads and trip hazards

• Leads must not create a trip hazard
• Leads must not be fixed to walls or fences

If leads cross:

• A path
  • They must be placed inside a channel designed for this purpose
  • The channel must be cut into the path
  • Allowance must be made for drainage
• A lawn
  • Leads must be laid flat
  • Leads must be clearly visible

You are responsible for any liabilities caused by trailing leads.

When not in use, you must recover and store leads on the charger or inside your home.

Channels and maintenance

• Channels must be kept clear of debris
• You are responsible for maintenance and repair of the charger and channels
• Excessively long channel runs are not permitted
• Channels must not cross more than one path

What you need to provide with your application

To help us decide your application, provide:

• Photographs
• Drawings
• Channel specifications
• Any other relevant supporting information

Costs and responsibilities

You should be aware that:

• All work is carried out at your own cost
• Ongoing maintenance and repairs are your responsibility
• If you do not have a dedicated parking space, you have no recourse if another vehicle blocks access to your charging lead
• At the end of your tenancy, you must either:
  • Remove the charging point and reinstate the area, or
  • Transfer all relevant ownership and certification details to Colchester Borough Homes

Grants and further information

The Government and energy providers offer grants to help with the cost of installing home EV chargers.
Find out more on:

• GOV.UK
• Your energy provider’s website

CCTV 

You must get written permission before installing CCTV. You should refer to your tenancy conditions with regards to alterations. All requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Some things to consider: 

• The system must be fitted by a suitably qualified technician. We may ask that you provide evidence of this. 

• You will be responsible for maintaining the equipment and must remove the CCTV system when you move and repair any damage caused to the property, such as where holes have been drilled in walls. 

• The CCTV cameras must only record images within your boundary. We reserve the right to give permission for CCTV to be fitted to flats, providing a signed disclaimer is adhered to. 

• The CCTV camera must not cause a nuisance to neighbours, for example be directed on to another person’s property. This would constitute a violation of privacy and/or harassment.

When asking for permission to install CCTV you must tell us: 

• The reason you wish to install CCTV. 

• Details of the number of cameras and where they will be positioned. 

• Information regarding what the cameras will be monitoring.

We reserve the right to review or withdraw permission should the CCTV be misused or is the subject of a complaint. 

Once we have reviewed your application we will provide you with a decision in writing. 

Building Control and Planning Permission 

You may also need permission from Planning Services or Building Control, depending on the type of work. 

Repairs and leaving your home 

You will be responsible for maintaining any alterations and any associated repairs. Please also be aware that you may be asked to remove the alteration and return the property to its’ original condition when you leave your home. 

Health and Safety 

We monitor alterations to ensure they meet safety standards. Unsafe alterations may pose risks. If you’re unsure, please ask. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What happens after I apply for permission from Colchester Borough Homes? 

We may need to inspect your home before granting permission. You will receive a written decision within 28 days. Do not start work until you have returned the signed acceptance form and received all necessary permissions. 

Do I have to notify Colchester Borough Homes when the work is complete? 

Depending on the type of work that you have carried out we will need to inspect the work, you will also be required to send Colchester Borough Homes any relevant certification relating to electrical or gas work. 

Will I have to pay for permission? 

Colchester Borough Homes do not charge a fee. However, fees may be charged by other services, such as Planning, Building Control or Essex County Council Highways department. 

How do I apply for permission from Colchester Borough Homes? 

We will require the following information:

• Your name, address and contact telephone number
• What work you would like to carry out?
• The location of the works
• Who will be carrying out the work and is the person qualified to do the work?
• Any drawings or photos that will assist your application

Although we aim to respond to your request as soon as possible, please allow 28 days for a formal response. 

You can apply for permission by completing this form or writing to Tenant Alterations, Colchester Borough Homes, Sheepen Road, Colchester, CO3 3WG.