Do I Need Permission?

You must not make any alterations (apart from decorating) without written permission.  This is for your safety.  We will want to make sure that any proposed changes do not affect the structure of your home or put you at risk.  Any work you undertake after getting permission should be done by a suitably qualified person.  If you do work without permission, we may require you to restore the previous condition of your home.  We will not be responsible for repairing or replacing any items you have changed, with or without permission.

If you want to put an outdoor seat, planters or other items in communal outdoor areas, you need permission.  This is because we must check that it does not block access, restrict an emergency exit route or contribute to a fire risk.

You have the right to have a lodger, provided that you would not be overcrowded.  We will usually give you permission to have a lodger, but we need to know who is living at each of our homes, and we will advise you about any effect that taking a lodger would have if you claim benefits.

If you wish to run a business from home, you must obtain permission before doing so. We will consider the nature of the business and whether it would negatively impact neighbours or pose a risk of damage to the property. You may need planning permission to run a business from home, and it is your responsibility to find out if this is required and, if necessary, obtain the relevant permission from the local authority.

You need permission for a shed because we need to ensure it is placed safely. Sheds must be at least 3 metres away from any buildings and cannot be used to store flammable items or have electricity installed.
Sadly, we regularly have examples of fires in sheds, some of which have spread to people’s homes and caused serious damage.  

If you want to put up or alter a fence, which is your responsibility (for example, a fence bordering your next door neighbour), you must have permission.  There are often height restrictions for fences, and in some new developments, residents are not permitted to change the fencing.

You usually have the right to exchange or assign your home (there are some exceptions), but you must have written permission before doing this.  If you do not, the exchange or assignment will be invalid, and you will be required to undo it.

We recognise that mobility scooters play an important part in maintaining independence for disabled residents.  However, most of our properties are not designed for large numbers of mobility scooters, and it is important to ensure they can be stored and charged safely.  We will work with residents to find a suitable solution.

You must have permission to have an e-scooter because we need to check that you have safe storage and charging available for it.  Please be aware that if e-scooters are modified, or if you use a different charger from the one provided by the manufacturer, they are a high fire risk.
You are not allowed to ride an e-scooter on Teign Housing land or on any public roads or land.  You are only allowed to use it on private land with the landowner’s permission.  

In most of our estates there are parking pressures, with more cars than spaces.  Taking up more of the available parking with vans and campers makes this much worse.  Unless you have our permission to park any vans where you live, you must find alternative public parking.    

You need to ask for permission to install CCTV at home and they must comply with the Information Commissioner’s Office requirements  Their advice and guidance can be found here.   If you have your own CCTV cameras, you need to put up a notice warning visitors about them.

A video doorbell does not need permission unless the area it covers comes within the remit of the Information Commissioner’s Office (see link above).