An improvement notice is a notice served by a local authority requiring a property owner to carry out specified works to bring a building into compliance with the legal standards. These are most commonly served to landlords to make a building safe.

The notice will specify what works should be completed and when it should begin and be completed by.

Failure to comply with an improvement notice is a criminal offence.

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Demolishing and building a new lean-to will still have comply with planning requirements.

If you live in a conservation area or listed building you may require approval for the demolition.

Whether a lean-to requires planning permission will depend on what the lean-to is used for, it may be an extension, pergola, carport, conservatory or gazebo.

In some cases a building a lean-to will be classified as permitted development, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided specified limits and conditions are met. If these are exceeded, then you must apply for planning permission.

Permitted development rules vary based on the type of work you are completing, visit our interactive house mini guides for details on the specific rules.

If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant changes.

Once you submit your application it will be considered by the local planning authority. The Planning Portal does not have access to the application once it is submitted.

You will need to contact your local planning authority to check on the progress of any submitted application. Many authorities now let you track the progress of applications on their own council websites.

Your local authority’s contact details and website address can be found by using our local authority search.

Search for the contact details of your local authority.

Read about the decision-making process.

If you're doing electrical installation work in your home or garden in England or Wales, you must follow the building regulations. It's recommended to hire an installer who is registered with a competent person scheme (a registered competent person’) who can self-certify that the work meets the required standards.

A garden gazebo or freestanding awning will often fall under permitted development rights provided it abides by the restrictions set out by government. In this instance a garden gazebo or freestanding awning will be classed as an outbuilding and should not be in front of the house or more than 2.5 metres in height.

Different rules apply if the awning is attached to the house itself. It may still be permitted development, but falls under the class of enlargement, improvement or alteration.

Read more information including the full list of rules for outbuildings

Read further guidance on extensions.