If you are a freeholder, visit our improvements and alterations page (freeholders).
If you are a tenant, visit our improvement and alterations page (tenants).
The lease for your property requires that you seek written permission from us before carrying out certain alterations or improvements to your property.
Quick summary
| Who it's for | Leaseholders of ex-council properties |
|---|---|
| Why do we do it | We require you to seek permission to ensure changes are safe, legal, and do not affect other residents or the building structure |
| When it happens | Before you start any improvement or alteration work |
| What you need to do | Request written permission and follow all regulations |
| How long it takes | You’ll be contacted within 28 working days of your request |
Permission to make changes to your home
If you purchased your home as a leaseholder from Leeds City Council (either directly or from a previous owner), you must get written permission from the council before making changes to your property. This is a legal requirement under the terms of your lease, even if you have already received planning permission or building control approval.
If you carry out works which require our permission without obtaining consent, you will be in breach of your lease. In such cases, we would require you to seek permission retrospectively. In certain circumstances this may result in you being required to remove the alteration and re-instate the property back to its original condition.
Examples of work you will need permission for
- Replacing your kitchen or bathroom
- Installing wooden or laminate flooring
- Carrying out any electrical or gas works
Minor changes that do not need permission
- Installing fitted wardrobes or cupboards
- Replacing carpets
Where permission is refused
We will not provide permission for works to be carried out that will:
- have a detrimental impact on the condition of the property or the building
- pose a potential health and safety risk
- potentially cause nuisance or annoyance to other occupiers of the building
- place any financial liability on the council in respect of the future maintenance, repair or replacement of the alteration
- be in an area which isn’t included within the leaseholders’ ownership
- be in a part of the building which isn’t included in the leaseholders’ ownership (for example, a loft or attic space or basement, which isn’t included in the property demised)
If you make changes without permission:
- you may be asked to apply retrospectively
- you may be charged for any damage caused
- legal action may be taken if the work breaches your lease conditions
It is strongly recommended to apply before starting any work to avoid delays or additional costs.
Common alteration types
The table below provides details of some of the more common alterations or improvements which leaseholders may request permission to undertake and our general position.
| Alteration | Will permission generally be given? |
|---|---|
| Replacement windows | Permission will generally be given for windows to be replaced on a ‘like for like’ basis (for example, if they are the same design as the existing windows). |
| Changing external windows to doors (such as French/patio) | In most cases, permission will not be given to change external windows to French or patio doors, as such a change would not generally be in keeping with other properties in the building. The only exception would be if the change would not have any detrimental impact on the structure or aesthetics of the building and would not impact any neighbour’s enjoyment of their property (for example, if the leaseholder owns the lease of a house). |
| Replacement external dwelling doors | Permission would only be given for an external door to be replaced if this wasn’t a fire door (doors of flats which face onto internal communal areas are all fire doors). The reason for this, is that the council is responsible for making sure that all fire doors in the building comply with fire safety regulations. |
| Solar panels | Permission will not be given for solar panels to be installed on roofs of blocks of flats, as this would place the council at risk of incurring additional costs in the future. The only exception would be if the property was a house, and the leaseholder was responsible for carrying out any works/repairs required to the roof under the terms of their lease. |
| Conservatories and porches | Permission will generally only be given for leaseholders of houses to erect conservatories or porches and then only on land which falls within their ownership. The only exception may be where the leaseholder of a flat in a converted house/cottage style flat had an area of land included within their ownership and the erection of a conservatory/porch would not have any detrimental impact on any neighbouring property. Any permission granted would be subject to the leaseholder entering into a licence agreement which would make them and future owners responsible for the repair, maintenance and eventual replacement of the structure. |
| Satellite dishes | Any requests to install satellite dishes will be assessed in accordance with the satellite dish policy. |
| Sheds, greenhouses and fences | Permission will not be given for leaseholders to erect sheds, greenhouses or other structures on communal land, nor to fence off any area of the common areas. This is because all leaseholders and tenants occupying the building have the right to access and enjoy all communal land. |
Before you make changes
It is important that you check the lease for your individual property, which will confirm what alterations require our consent.
Each application will be assessed individually and so there may be circumstances where works which would generally be approved are refused due to the structure of the building.
You are also responsible for getting the relevant planning permission, and making sure your changes meet building control and health and safety regulations.
You should notify your contractor that you will require written consent before any works can commence.
To apply
- request an application form from your local housing office or email hlleasehold@leeds.gov.uk
- return completed form to us, along with the administration fee
Fees
An administration fee of £60 will be payable to cover the cost of processing your application.
In certain circumstances it may be necessary for a technical officer to visit to inspect the area of the proposed alteration. An additional fee of £150 will be payable to cover the cost of the technical officer attending. It may also be necessary to inspect the work once this has been completed (no additional fee will be payable if a second visit is required).
If, due to the nature of the proposed alteration, it will be necessary for multiple departments to provide input and technical expertise into assessing your application, a fee of £500 will be payable (this amount includes the technical officer fee). This will only apply to proposed alterations which are complex and require specialist technical input.
If, due to the type of alteration, it will be necessary for you to enter into an agreement with the council, a fee will be payable to cover our legal costs (fee to be confirmed upon request).
An agreement will be required if permission is to be given subject to you agreeing to take responsibility for the future repair, maintenance, and eventual replacement of the alteration.
Please note fees may increase annually.
During the decision process
Once your application and payment are received, we will review the details within 28 days and may arrange an inspection if needed.
Extra support
We can help if you:
- need help completing the form
- require the information in another format or language
- have questions about what is or isn’t allowed
