In Alef Group communities such as Hayyan, external changes, pergolas, pools and any structural work need approval from Alef's community management against the community guidelines before work starts. Where a permit is required, it comes from Sharjah Municipality through a registered engineering consultant, with Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) approval if services change. Because the homes are new, work also has to be planned around the developer's warranty.
Who approves what
Alef Group's community management reviews changes against the community's design guidelines. Building permits in Sharjah are issued by Sharjah Municipality, applied for by a registered engineering consultant, and SEWA approves changes to electricity, water and gas. We confirm the current route with Alef and the municipality for your home.
New homes come with a developer warranty. Changing an item under warranty can affect a later claim, so we inspect at handover and plan upgrades around it.
The Alef process, step by step
- Handover inspection. We snag the home at handover so defects are recorded and fixed by the developer before any fit-out covers them.
- Scope and guideline check. We list the upgrades and check them against Alef's community guidelines and the warranty.
- Alef community approval. External changes, pergolas, pools and structural work are submitted to Alef's community management with drawings and materials.
- Sharjah Municipality permit, if required. A registered consultant applies to Sharjah Municipality for works that need a permit, with SEWA approval where services change.
- Works and close-out. Contractors work to the approved drawings and community rules, followed by inspections and the community's final check.
What each type of work needs
| Type of work | Alef NOC | Authority permit | What it involves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joinery, wardrobes, curtains, light fittings | Not usually | No | Contractor access is still arranged with the community. |
| Kitchen upgrade or replacement | Often yes | Usually no | Check the developer warranty first. |
| Internal walls | Yes | Yes if structural | New homes: confirm with the developer what is structural. |
| Pergola, canopy or outdoor kitchen | Yes | Depends on size and structure | Position, height and materials per guidelines. |
| Swimming pool | Yes | Usually yes | Setbacks, structure and drainage; SEWA for services. |
| Extension | Yes, where permitted | Yes | Depends on the guidelines for your plot and home type. |
| Landscaping and hardscape | Usually yes | No | Levels, drainage and boundary heights. |
Fees and timelines
- Community fees: any review fee or deposit is set by Alef's community management and confirmed at submission.
- Sharjah Municipality and SEWA fees: depend on the scope and are confirmed by the consultant.
- Timeline: interior fit-out can usually start soon after handover; external works wait for community approval and any permit.
Developer and authority rules change, and they vary by sub-community, villa type and plot. This page summarises published developer guidance and our project experience as of October 2026. It is not a substitute for the current guidelines for your property, which we confirm before any design work starts.