Alterations, Businesses and Pets

Tenancies Granted After 1stApril2017

You will not be allowed to undertake any alterations or keep any pets if you are on anAssured Shorthold, Contractual, Licenced or Starter tenancy – exceptions may be made where pets were known and agreed at the tenancy offer.

Any breach of these conditions may be treated as a breach of tenancy and you may be given 28 days to remedy the issue.

Failure to do so will result in Yarlington taking appropriate action which could affect the security of your tenancy.

It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that any Local Authority Planning or Building Control consents are obtained as required.

Tenancies Granted Before 1stApril2017

You will not be allowed to undertake any alterations or keep any pets if you are on an Assured Shorthold, Contractual, Licenced or Starter tenancy – exceptions may have been made where pets were known and agreed at the tenancy offer.

Your tenancy agreement may allow you to apply for permission to make some additional alterations (not detailed here - please check your tenancy agreement) but in these cases you will need to contact Yarlington for permission.

Any breach of these conditions may be treated as a breach of tenancy and you may be given 28 days to remedy the issue.

Failure to do so will result in Yarlington taking appropriate action which could affect the security of your tenancy.

It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that any Local Authority Planning or Building Control consents are obtained as required.

Shared Ownership Properties

Your rights will be defined in your individual lease and you must check this prior to undertaking any works.

Animals and Pets

Dogs and Cats

  • You may keep up to two domestic petsif you live in a house or a flat which can be accessed direct from the outside.

You cannot keep a dog or cat if you live in a flat where you access your property through an internal communal area.

Poultry/Birds

  • You may also keep up to 6 chickens/fowl – but no cockerels- if both the property location and the garden is suitable and they must be adequately housed.

Other Small Pets

  • You may keep other small household pets which normally live in a cage/aquarium or vivarium.

Exotics

  • You may keepnon-poisonous insects and spiders and non-poisonous snakes and reptiles under two feet in length (fully grown) which must be in appropriate containers.

Standard Conditions

  • You will not be allowed to keep any animals which are unsuitable for your property.
  • You will not be allowed to breed from your pets as a business.
  • You are responsible for keeping any dogs within the curtilage of your property ensuring that they do not roam over any shared access.
  • You will be responsible for the behaviour of your pets and should they cause any nuisance, annoyance,danger or distress to anyone in the neighbourhood this may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.

I accept the conditions above

Bathrooms (including Electric Showers)

You cannot make any changes or alterations to any Yarlington bathroom fixtures and fittings excepting

Showers

You may install an over bath electric shower subject to the following conditions:

  • All works must be undertaken by a qualified contractor.
  • Pipe work shall not be chased into walls.
  • Any damaged wall surfaces shall be made good
  • Existing tiling must be extended from the lip line of the bath to the full room height
  • If tiling cannot be matched – tiles may be replaced with standard white tiles
  • All tiles must be fixed with waterproof adhesive and grouted in waterproof grouting cement. The corners of the recess and top edge shall be sealed with silicone sealant.
  • You must maintain the shower throughout your tenancy and may be required to remove it at the end of your tenancy, and make good.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

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I accept the conditions above

Business from Home

You may run a business from home where the property is suitable for the type of business and subject to the following conditions:

  • You may not to fix or adjoin any signs / boarding’s to your property
  • You may not to use any advertising or public material which states your home address
  • Your business shall not require that large numbers of customers need to visit the property in person
  • You may keep small amounts of domestic machinery/materials used in connection with the business in the property.
  • You must ensure that any Local Authority Planning or legal requirements are obtained and available to Yarlington upon request and that you register your business with council tax as required.
  • Your business must not cause any nuisance, annoyance, danger or distress to anyone in the neighbourhood. Any such nuisance may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your home.

I accept the conditions above

Caravan/Trailer/Boat

You may store a caravan trailer or boat at your property subject to the following conditions:

  • Any caravan/trailer /boat must be parked on a suitable hard-standing area
  • Any caravan/trailer /boat must not block any external access doors
  • Any caravan must not be used as a permanent residence
  • Any caravan /trailer/boat must be maintained in good condition
  • Any caravan/trailer/boat must not cause any nuisance, annoyance, danger or distress to anyone in the neighbourhood. Any such nuisance may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your home.

I accept the conditions above

Carpentry

You can undertake minor carpentry installation at your property subject to the following conditions:

  • You may put up shelves and these must be removed and holes filled and painted at the end of your tenancy.
  • You may make minor carpentry alterations to internal doors – for fitting of carpets or other flooring.
  • You cannot alter or remove kitchen units/fitted wardrobes or make any other alteration to Yarlington fixtures and fittings.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

I accept the conditions above

CCTV

You may install CCTV subject to the following conditions:

  • Cameras must only film within the property boundary in line with guidance from the Data Protection Act 1998.
  • Any electrical works must be installed by a qualified electrician and the relevant certification made available to Yarlington upon request.
  • You may be required to remove any cameras and fittings and make good any damage at the end of your tenancy.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

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I accept the conditions above

Conservatory

You cannot erect a conservatory at aYarlington property.

Decking

You cannot install decking at a Yarlington property.

Disabled Adaptions

Yarlington may, at their discretion, install minor adaptions e.g. grab rails for residents with a disability and residents should contact Yarlington should they require a minor installation.

Tenants who require a major adaption must be assessed by an occupational therapist and should contact Social Services at their Local Authority.

Doors

You cannot alter or change any internal or external doors to a Yarlington property, except for alterations for flooring or for installation of a cat flap.

Cat Flaps

You may install a cat flap to the back door of a Yarlington property subject to the following conditions:

  • PVCU Door

You must get this fitted by a reputable PVCU Window and Door Company to install a standard panel with a cat flap already fitted. You must first check with Yarlington to ensure any existing guarantee for the door is not compromised.

  • Timber Door

The cat flap must be installed by a competent tradesperson.

  • The door shall be re-instated on termination of the tenancy and all costs covered by you, unless the installed cat flap is required by the incoming tenant. If you fail to do this, Yarlington will re-charge you for any reinstatement that is required.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

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I accept the conditions above

Electrics

You may make minor electric alterations subject to the following conditions:

  • You may install your own light fitments but these must be removed and a pendant fitting be reinstated at the end of your tenancy
  • You may install external lighting but the position must not impact upon your neighbours and should be discussed with them beforehand. You may be required to remove these and make good any damage at the end of your tenancy.
  • You may install additional sockets
  • All works must be installed by a qualified electrician and the relevant certification made available to Yarlington upon request.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

Suppliers

  • You may change your utility suppliers at any time.

I accept the conditions above

Extensions

You cannot build any extensions to a Yarlington property.

Fencing/Gates

We recommend that you always discuss any proposals with your neighbour prior to installing/replacing any fencing or hedges.

Some properties may have a restrictive covenant preventing front gardens from being fenced and may require planning permission – you should check with your Local Authority.

You may install fencing or gates at your property subject to the following conditions:

  • Fencing should be erected along the existing boundary. If it is unclear where the boundary lays, Yarlington can identify this for you upon request.
  • Fences (including any trellis), gates and hedges shall not exceed the following heights (including any trellis):
  1. Rear & rear sides 2 metres (6’6”)
  2. Front & front sides 1 metres (3’3”)
  • If you want to install fencing that exceeds these heights you must obtain Local Authority Planning permission and provide a copy to Yarlington.
  • The fencing/gates will be erected with suitable materials (e.g. chain link, close board, palisade or overlap) consistent with the type of usage expected
  • Fence posts must be secured in the ground at a recommended minimum depth of 450mm (1’6”) to provide sufficient stability to the fence line
  • You must not erect any fencing/gates across an access or right of way shared with your neighbours.
  • Any works should not be constructed over, or so close as to interfere with the examination of, any water main or service, sewer, drain, etc.
  • You will maintain throughout the term of your tenancy.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

I accept the conditions above

Fireplaces

You cannot open up blocked fireplaces to have an open fire at a Yarlington property.

  • If you want to replace or block up a fireplace please contact Yarlington.
  • You may replace a fire surround as long as all works are undertaken by qualified contractor
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

I accept the conditions above

Flooring

Laminate, Vinyl and Tiles

  • You may install laminate, vinyl or tileflooring on the ground floor of any house or in ground floor flats (excluding kitchens and bathrooms which will be provided by Yarlington as standard)
  • You may not install laminate, vinyl or tile flooring in flats above ground floor due to the impact of noise transference upon your neighbours.

Carpets

  • You may install any carpets throughout the property.
  • All flooring must be removed at the end of your tenancy and any damage made good
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make remove any flooring unless we agree that it can remain ( in exceptional circumstances).

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I accept the conditions above

Garages/Car Ports

You cannot erect a garage or car port at a Yarlington property.

Gas

You may not install/or alter any gas supply to a Yarlington property where there is none nor make any alterations or installations to any Yarlington fixtures or fittings including installation of a gas fire.

Cookers

  • You may connect a gas cooker where a supply and fitments are already provided and this must be connected by a Gassafe registered engineer and installation document provided upon request.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.

Suppliers

  • You may change your supplier at any time.

I accept the conditions above

Kitchens

You cannotreplace or change the layout of the kitchen in a Yarlington property.

Lofts

  • You cannot convert your loft into another room.
  • You cannot access a secure bat loft at any time but must allow access for regular inspections by Yarlington representatives.

Parking/Hardstanding

You may install a parking area/hardstanding to a Yarlington property subject to the following conditions:

  • You must obtain Local Authority Planning permission or Building Control approval where required which must be provided to Yarlington upon request.
  • A dropped kerb must be installed and you will be required to obtain a licence from Somerset County Highways, which must be provided to Yarlington upon request.
  • The siting of the hard standing/driveway shall be behind the front line of the building and give
  1. Uninterrupted access to the building
  2. No obstruction to windows of adjoining premises
  3. Uninterrupted visibility of the highways and footpaths
  • Installations must be in accordance with the following specification but shall be not less than:

Washed gravel / block paving / Concrete / Tarmac
Surface soil removed / 150mm (6 inches) / 200mm (8 inches) / 150mm (6 inches)
Hardcore & scalpings
(must be compacted) / 100mm (4 inches) / 100mm (4 inches) / 100mm (4 inches
Terram sheeting before hardcore / Yes / No / No
Ensure adequate drainage / No / Yes / Yes
Finish / 50mm (2 inches) / 100mm (4 inches) / 50mm (2 inches)
  • Existing drainage services must be considered and any manhole covers must remain accessible.
  • You must maintain the parking area/hardstanding throughout your tenancy and you may be required to remove at the end of your tenancy, and make good.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.

I accept the conditions above

Patios

You cannot install patios at a Yarlington property

Plumbing

You cannot make any alterations to any of the plumbing supply to a Yarlington property with the exception of and subject to the following conditions:

Outside Tap

  • You may install an outside tap where the property construction lends itself to this installation. Traditional brick built properties are acceptable.
  • Properties with external insulation are excluded.
  • If unsure check with Yarlington if your property qualifies.
  • Installations must be by a qualified plumber.
  • Failure to conform to the above conditions may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and appropriate action may be taken which could affect the security of your tenancy.
  • Recharges may apply at the termination of your tenancy, where Yarlington is required to make good/remove any installation/alterations which are sub standard.