Covenant Control.
Thinking of altering your home? The Council likes
to say YES!
Covenants: What are they?
Restrictive covenants stay with the property no matter
how many times it changes hands and may affect the ways in which
you can alter the properties appearance or the way you use
it.
General
If you own a home in Harlow, we may have some control over how
you change your home’s appearance or use, through Restrictive
Covenants. This is in addition to Planning and Building
Regulations Approval.
Some of the situations where Covenant approval will be
required are listed below :-
- External alterations and extensions
- Alterations to front gardens
- Alterations to and replacement garden fences
- Parking
- Business use
- Pets
- Hobbies
- Letting
- Advertising posters
- Right of entry for maintenance of services
- Erection of domestic satellite dishes and tv ariels. This is
not currently being enforced by Covenant Control however their
may be Planning restrictions. Please open the following
link Planning GDO
Guidance.
Who do they affect?
To find out if your home has Restrictive Covenants, look at the
documents dealing with the purchase or ask the solicitor who acted
for you. Most homes in Harlow are affected by covenants, which
include:
- Homes built by Harlow Development Corporation, its agents or
developers and sold as private estates
- Homes built by the Corporation for rented accommodation, later
sold to tenants
- Homes transferred to Harlow Council by the Corporation as
rented accommodation, and later sold under the ‘Right to Buy’
- Homes built for sale by Harlow Council
Church Langley
If you live in Church Langley the only covenants that are
applicable are those laid down by the original developers. In the
case of homes built by Croudace, the covenants on these
properties were passed to Harlow District
Council, however the Council has decided not to take up
its option of administering restrictive covenants in Church
Langley.
For homes other than those built by Croudace you
should contact the developer concerned or your solicitor to advise
you.
How much will a Covenant application
cost?
A fee is payable at 1% of the cost of the work (£35 minimum
fee)
Where do I get an application form?
Open Fronts Policy and Parking on your Front Garden
Please read Harlow Council's Policy on
parking on your front garden before applying to the Council to park
on your front garden.
Should you require further clarification on any of the above
matters please contact Karen Barratt on 01279 446837. (
9.30am - 1.00pm only )
Remember!
Please do not enter into a contract of any kind with an
agent or builder, or pay any money, until you have all necessary
approvals. Please also refer to the web pages dealing with Planning Permission and Building Regulations Approval.