Before you make any changes to your home, you’ll need to get written permission from us. This helps us make sure the work is safe and won’t cause issues later – like repair problems or risks to you or your neighbours.
If you go ahead without permission, you may have to put your home back to how it was – and you could be charged if we need to do the work.
We usually won’t say no unless the changes:
make your home unsafe
affect your neighbours
make it harder for us to carry out future repairs.
If you live in a flat in a three-storey or high-rise block, we may also need a fire safety certificate from a FIRAS-accredited inspector once your work is done.
How to apply
Just fill in the Customer Alteration Form at the end of this page – it comes straight to us.
Please give us 20 working days to reply. If you haven’t heard back after that, feel free to resend it – but there’s no need to send it again before then.
We look at each application on a case-by-case basis and consider:
what the work involves
if it meets safety rules
how it might affect your neighbours
if it follows any legal requirements.
Only use this form for work you plan to do now, not in future. You’re responsible for giving us all the right information – we may turn it down if anything’s missing.
Asbestos and safety checks
Before starting any work, you must check if there’s asbestos in the area or if your work could disturb it.
If it does, it must be handled by a licensed contractor. When the work’s complete, send us the consignment notes to show it was removed safely.
You’ll also need to send us any safety certificates after the work is done, such as:
an Electrical Installation Certificate
or a CP12 (gas safety) certificate
After the work’s done
Once approved changes are made, you’re responsible for future repairs or maintenance – we won’t cover these costs.
Please note: only assured tenants can apply for alterations.
Apply for a Customer Alteration
Depending on the alteration you want to make, a surveyor or member of the Neighbourhoods team will visit in person to have a look at what you'd like to do and ask some questions.
If you are concerned that you may have already completed an alteration that needed permission, please get in touch with the Property Services Team at propertysupport@wchg.org.uk or call in to the main reception at Poundswick Lane so we can check this for you.
Before starting your form please read the following: -
Unfortunately, we will say no to:
Installation of CCTV that extends beyond the boundary of your home or has an audible feature which allows conversations nearby to be heard
Installing pet-flaps in fire doors or doors which lead into shared areas
Installing pet-flaps in front or rear doors
Installation of laminate flooring in flats above ground floor level
Dividing bedrooms into multiple rooms or creating new rooms
Anything that makes the property more vulnerable to fire
Structural changes that do not meet building regulations
Installing of internal or external window security bars
Textured coating or Artex to walls or ceilings
Fencing to front of property over 4 feet high
Painting external brickwork
Boarding out of loft space
Installation of log burners
Rendering external walls
Loft conversions
Extensions
The sort of things that you need to get permission for include:
Moving radiators
Installation of patio doors
Installation of satellite dish
Installation of tiled flooring
Installation of CCTV cameras
Installation of intruder alarms
Installation of laminated flooring
Timber cladding to walls or ceilings
Decorating the outside of your home
Any internal or external electrical work
Installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Installation of an electric vehicle charging point
Changing the land levels within the boundaries of your home
Demolition of an old shed or garage which may contain asbestos.
Putting up or removing fences, hedges or other boundary markers
Altering the structure of your home, including removing inside walls
Laying patios, driveways or making a car parking space/hard standing
Changing or adding fixtures to the property, including the following: -
new bathroom or alteration to existing bathroom i.e. additional shower hoses or bidet
new kitchen or alteration to existing kitchen
Altering gas, electricity or water services and equipment (including water meters)
Installation of internet services in high-rise blocks which are subject to inspection by FIRAS accredited inspector
Building structures such as garages, sheds, summer house or carports see guidance notes below
You do not need permission for:
a gas or electric smart meter
a water meter
Guidance notes for Garages, sheds and summer house
Here is a checklist of some of the points to remember:
Your shed should not be positioned forward of a wall that forms the principal elevation of the property, the minimum distance is 2.5 meters from the principal elevation of the property to your garages, sheds or summer house.
All sheds should be single-storey in nature.
The eaves height should be no higher than 2.5 metres.
If the shed stands less than 2 metres from one or more boundaries of the property, the overall height should not exceed 2.5 metres.
In the case of designated land, planning permission will still be required.
In the case of a listed building of any kind, planning permission will be required.
It is also important to note your shed should not be designed to provide sleeping accommodation. Any building that essentially marks a change of use for the property will need to be looked into in more detail.
What size shed can I have?
In most cases, it would be possible to have quite a sizeable shed without falling foul of planning rules. However, it is worth bearing this statement in mind:
“No more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’ would be covered by additions or other buildings.”
Unless you have a particularly small garden, the chances are you could choose a shed without any problems at all. Most people find they can choose the size they need without swallowing up too much of the garden – which most of us wouldn’t want to do anyway.
It might surprise you to learn most log cabins come within the size requirements listed in the permitted development rules. That means you should be able to find the shed you want to put in your garden, and be able to position it somewhere that won’t fall foul of the rules.
The best idea is to see which shed you would ideally like to get, decide where you would like to position it and then check the permitted development rules. The chances are you will be fine. But if you are in any doubt at all, getting some advice from your local planning officer will be the best route to take.
Building Regulations
A shed with a floor space of less than 15 square metres would not normally have to comply with building regulations if it does not contain sleeping accommodation. Some restrictions do apply to sheds between 15 and 30 square metres. Of course, normal safety standards have to be adhered to, particularly regarding any electrical connections.
Check the government’s planning portal for complete details concerning all planning rules and requirements for permitted development projects.
We would always advise you to check the government’s planning portal prior to taking on any project at home, even if you are only intending to erect a shed. You can find out the details about Permitted Developments for Outbuildings simply by visiting the Government Planning Portal, just click on the link below.
Remember it is your responsibility to check the project you have in mind is suitable under the permitted development rules. If you suspect you may need planning permission, or you are in any way unsure, you should always contact your local authority for more information and advice. You can find out more online via Manchester City Council Planning Portal, just click on the link below
If you intend to use your shed for a home business, you may wish to seek further advice. Using it as an occasional home office will be fine. However, if your business involves customers visiting your home, or a lot of noise or dust (to give a few examples), you should definitely seek planning permission prior to proceeding. The golden rule is always ‘better safe than sorry’
Detailed below are the maximum dimension for a garage, sheds and summer house.
Please note that the measurement for the maximum height of the garage, sheds or summer house is measured from below the DPC level.
Customer Alteration Form
Make sure you attach all the documents we need to look at your request.
If anything’s missing, we won’t be able to process your application.
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