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Some families have been moved into Council Housing with 2 bedrooms as an emergency measure and have become stuck on transfer lists for 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom houses for some time. Would it be possible for families in this position, particularly if they plan to stay in their home for life or purchase it in the future, to build extensions to their Council Homes if they wish to, instead of transferring to larger properties? This could provide a simple solution for these people and reduce the housing transfer list. Tenants have a right to carry out internal improvements to their homes (including windows) and a right to be compensated for the improvement when they leave the property. The right does not extend to major works such as extensions. It would be open for landlord to give consent to such work but there would be obvious concerns about the tenant having the necessary planning and building reg approvals and the quality and supervision of the work. Given that a bad job could devalue the Council's asset and require major expense to put right it is not recommended that we adopt such a scheme. Clearly those thinking of exercising the right to buy can extend after they have bought subject to the normal consents. |