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What is an improvement notice?

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.

Common Questions

What happens if I build without permission?

If you do not seek planning permission, build without it when it applies, or do not meet specified conditions of a planning permission, this is known as a planning breach.

Your local planning authority can serve an enforcement notice on you when they consider you have broken planning rules. You may be given the opportunity to apply retrospectively, or be required to remove a building or structure, or alter it to make it acceptable.

Read about your responsibilities.

I’m replacing a window, do I need planning permission or building control approval increase its size?

Increasing the size of a window will often fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required to make the change, provided limits and conditions are met.

Any new window must be of similar appearance to the original which you are replacing.

Permitted development rights do not apply to flats. To increase the size of a window in a flat or maisonette you will require planning permission.

 If you live in a listed building, you will require listed building consent for any major changes.

Where the work has as significant impact on the external appearance of the house, especially on the principal elevation, planning permission may be required.

Building control approval will likely be required where the change impacts the structure of a building, this primarily occurs when an opening Is widened. When altering walls you may want to consult a structural engineer.

Building control will also consider energy efficiency, glazing, ventilation and fire safety.

Is planning permission required for a car port?

A carport can fall under permitted development rights provided it meets certain limits and conditions set out in legislation. If you exceed or fail to meet a requirement then you will require planning permission.

If not attached to the house, a car port will be treated as an ‘outbuilding’. A full list of requirements is available on our outbuildings common project.

Read our outbuilding common project.

Can I convert a detached garage into a self-contained living space?

Yes, but you will need to obtain planning permission. Converting a detached garage into a self-contained living space, such as annexe, studio flat, or retail unit, represents a material change of use, particularly if it will function independently from the main house. This is because the garage would no longer be used in connection with the main dwelling and would effectively become a separate residential unit.

Do I need planning permission to upgrade to double glazed windows?

For houses, replacing windows with double glazing usually doesn’t require planning permission, provided the style and appearance are similar to the original. However, if you live in a flat/maisonette, listed building, or a conservation area, planning permission or listed building consent may be required, especially if the changes affect the external appearance.

Read more about planning permission for windows and doors for houses

Read about planning permission for windows and doors for flats and maisonettes

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