Alterations and Improvements Request Form

Standard conditions for resident alterations

Valleys To Coast Housing will allow residents to undertake improvements to their property, provided the guidelines and conditions outlined below are strictly adhered to. Before completing an application form you must read Valleys To Coast Housing Policy on resident alterations very carefully and agree to be bound by it.

General conditions and guidelines

1. Before the Valleys To Coast Housing can grant permission for works you propose to carry out, an application form must be completed and forwarded together with any plans, drawings, schedules of work and a signed copy of these conditions. You must obtain written approval from Valleys To Coast Housing prior to commencing any improvement works and keep all guarantees/warranties, and forward these or copies to Valleys To Coast Housing on completion of works.

2. Unless otherwise agreed, in writing by Valleys To Coast Housing, the total cost of the work and related expenses are to be met by you as the tenant of the property.

3. You must advise your Neighbourhood Officer when works are due to commence and when works are completed in order that Valleys To Coast Housing may inspect the works. You MUST provide access for us to inspect the works within 21 calendar days of completion of the works or when otherwise requested by Valleys To Coast Housing.

4. Any Contractors you employ must be suitably qualified and members of their respective trade organisation and hold a current Public Liability insurance policy. The manufacturer or contractor should provide a guarantee for some improvements.

5. You must ensure that the appropriate statutory authorities are involved where necessary:
• Where planning permission or building regulation approval is required before undertaking some works, the approval/certificate must be sent to Valleys To Coast Housing Housing before we can give our written permission for the work to be carried out.
• Notices may need to be served on the gas, electricity and water and sewerage companies. If required, Valleys To Coast Housing will need to see proof of these notices before giving consent for works to go ahead. Any conditions required by these statutory or responsible authorities MUST be met.

6. In carrying out the works, you will be required to ensure:
a) That if there are common parts to the building, they must be protected and clear of obstruction. After the works have been completed, common parts should be cleaned and free from dust;
b) That any damage caused during the works are notified and put right at your expense. You will be liable for any claims of damage from a third party
c) You should notify all neighbours likely to be affected by the works and take all possible steps to minimise inconvenience, noise and nuisance to them. In particular no work should be undertaken during the hours of 10pm and 8am. Noisy operations which may disturb others should only be undertaken between the hours of 9am – 5 pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings.
d) Where works necessitate the interruption of services to neighbours, i.e. temporary disconnection of gas, water and electricity, mutually satisfactory arrangements must be made with them beforehand and notified to Valleys To Coast Housing in writing;
e) Access is available for Valleys To Coast Housing to inspect works both before commencement and after completion of works. To encourage applications, no fee is payable for any inspections or re-inspections. Should conditions not be met and/or the works are not progressing in a satisfactory manner, Valleys To Coast Housing reserves the right to order the works be stopped.

7. In making any application to carry out an alteration, you are required to sign or acknowledge the copy of these conditions and return it to Valleys To Coast Housing.