At ateb we appreciate that Contract Holders may want to make alterations or improvements to their home. You may request to make alterations or improvements, including any additions to the existing fixtures and fittings, subject to ateb consent, as landlord.  

Works where permission is required but not limited to include:

• Installing Cat Flaps
• Installing Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) (including CCTV doorbells)
• Erecting Conservatories
• Hard Landscaping in Gardens e.g. patios, decking
• Installing External Electrical Supplies and any Extending of electrical supplies
• Creating or upgrading Parking areas/Driveways
• Installing new fencing
• Installing External Taps
• Installing Hot Tubs
• External decoration to exterior walls, doors, or windows
• Installing Electrical Vehicle Charging Points
• Building Extensions and Lean-to’s
• Installing your own Kitchens & Bathrooms (including kitchen and bathroom flooring)
• Fitting Solar Panels (roof or ground mounted)
• Installing Ponds
• Installing Windows and Doors including French doors
• Building sheds, garages, and other structures in the garden
• Loft conversions
• Installation of solid fuel appliances e.g. log burners or the use of your own LPG appliances
• Removal or creation of walls both internally and externally that affect the structural integrity and composition of the property
• Any works that affect the ventilation requirements of your home
• Any installation of enabling equipment such as lifts or hoists
• Any works that may affect any of the home improvements ateb has made such as External or Internal Wall insulation 
• The removal or exchanging of fire prevention equipment or any safety equipment in your home

We will not give consent for

• The opening of flues / chimneys or the installation of solid fuel log burners
• Alterations and permissions that would invalidate existing warranties

Please note that whilst permission is not required to install your own white goods, such as ovens, hobs and washing machines, you must always ensure the person carrying out the installation is competent and provides you with the necessary certification.  

If you are unsure if permission is required, please contact [email protected]

You can complete and apply for altering or improving your home by completing our Online Form.

We will not withhold consent provided that the request is considered ‘reasonable’ and does not make the property less safe, or reduces its value, or incurs any ongoing or additional costs to ateb as landlord. 

As a contract holder you must not, under any circumstance, undertake alterations or improvement works until first obtaining the written permission of ateb. Failure to do so will be treated as a breach of the occupation contract and may result in you having to reinstate your home to its original state at your own cost.  

• Our commitment to you

  • We will not unreasonably deny consent but may grant consent subject to certain conditions imposed.  
  • We may request additional information, and will do this within 14 days of the request to make alterations or improvements being received
  • We will either give or refuse consent in writing, either within 28 days of the request being made or within 28 days of any additional information requested being received
  • When refusing consent or giving consent subject to conditions, we will provide you on request with a written statement setting out the reasons why consent was denied or reasons why certain conditions were imposed

• Reasonableness 

  Consent will not be withheld, unless the request is considered ‘unreasonable’ which may relate to the following grounds:  

  • involves structural change to the premises
  • makes the property unsafe
  • increases maintenance costs 
  • causes ateb expenditure which would be unlikely to occur if the works had not been carried out 
  • reduces the living space or size of bedrooms
  • breaches planning, building or conservation area regulations
  • reduces the value of the property or rental income, it would achieve on the open market  

• Obligations of Contract Holder 

  • you must make requests in writing to carry out alterations or carry out improvements to your home  
  • provide detailed plans and proposals on how the work will be done
  • obtain all necessary approvals; planning permission and/or building control regulations and submit this with your application
  • confirm that the work will be carried out by competent approved contractor(s) / trades persons and to a good standard / finish and provide all necessary certification provided post completion of work 
  • allow ateb to pre and post inspect works as required

• Completion of Works

  • If permission is granted ateb may post inspect the works when completed to ensure that they have been completed in line with the approved application.  
  • Any certification in relation to the works, e.g., gas safety or electrical certificates or FENSA must be provided by you.  
  • If the work undertaken is not to a satisfactory standard, you will be given a period of 28 days to make good. If the work is not brought to a satisfactory standard within this timeframe, then we may undertake the works and recharge you for all costs incurred by ateb.  
  • We will not make any increase to the normal weekly rent charged for the property because of the alteration or improvement works.

• Termination of Occupation Contract 

  • Upon the termination of the occupation contract, any approved alterations, improvements, or additions made by you become the property of ateb and for which no compensation will be paid.

• Appeal against refusal to grant consent or to conditions imposed 

  • If we refuse your request you are entitled to request a written statement giving reasons why consent was not given to the alteration / improvement request, or why conditions were imposed.
  • If the written statement is not provided within one month of you requesting a written statement, it will be considered that ateb has consented to the alteration / improvement or consented to the same without any conditions attached.

You can appeal against the decision made within the written statement by making an application to county court on the grounds that⁠:  

1. ateb refusal of consent is unreasonable, or 
2. one or more of the conditions imposed is unreasonable