Get permission to make changes to your council house

If you’re a council tenant and you want to make changes to improve or enlarge your council house, you must get permission from us before starting any work.

We need to make sure that any changes are carried out safely, professionally, and in line with the law. 

As the tenant, you’re responsible for applying for permission to make changes to your council house.

You must not make any changes in or around your council house until you have received permission, as this would be a breach of your tenancy conditions. 

Things you’ll need permission to install or make changes to include:

• roofs, external walls, or other structural alterations
• garages
• satellite dishes or aerials
• security lights or cameras
• fencing, gates, or posts
• driveways
• paving, slabbing, or patios
• garden huts or greenhouses
• central heating systems or fireplaces
• kitchens and bathrooms
• laminate flooring
• doors or windows
• pigeon lofts
• hot tubs
• trampolines in gardens
• stairlifts or handrails that affect an adjoining property.

What you do not need permission for

You do not need our permission before you decorate inside your council house. This includes putting up wallpaper, painting walls, or laying carpets or floor tiles.

If you’re unsure if you need permission to make a change, or would like advice on applying, contact your local housing team.

What you cannot get permission for

You cannot get permission for laminate flooring if you live in an upper flat or upper maisonette.

You’re responsible for the cost of any changes, but you must wait until you have our written permission before carrying out the work.

We do not provide financial help for changes or alterations.  

If you made approved changes to your council house, you may be entitled to compensation once you move out. To get this, you must have:

• had our written permission to make the changes before you started the work
• kept any bills related to the changes you made.

You'll need to email us at repairsandinvestment.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk during your notice period if you'd like to ask for compensation.

You should send a written request to your local housing team outlining the changes you would like to make to your property.

Find out which local housing team covers your area.

If you want to make changes or installations outside your council house or inside a shared property, you must also ask your local housing team for help getting your neighbours' permission in your request.

Email your request to the local housing team that covers your area: 

• Johnstone areas: johnstone.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Paisley North areas: paisley.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Paisley South areas: paisley.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Renfrew areas: renfrew.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk

A member of our housing team will respond to you by email within 28 days.

A housing officer may ask you to provide a written agreement from any other joint tenant, partner, or person living with you.

Once we give you permission, you can then carry out the work you submitted in your request.

We always try to give our permission. However, we may refuse permission if:

• you’re behind with your rent
• we’re concerned that the changes or installations will not be safe or may cause undue noise for your neighbours
• the position of your changes or installation will interfere with future maintenance.

You can appeal a decision by emailing repairsandinvestment.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk and state the reasons for your appeal.

More information

If you’d like more information about making changes to your council house, you can contact your local housing office at:

• Johnstone areas: johnstone.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Paisley North areas: paisley.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Paisley South areas: paisley.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Renfrew areas: renfrew.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk