Home Improvements
Home improvements
Before you make any changes (alterations) to your home you must write to us to get permission. This is so we can make sure that what you’re planning doesn’t damage or devalue your home. An alteration is anything that adds to or changes the property (this includes the gas, electrical or water supply). We also have to make sure you, your family, the people who live around you (and the building) stay safe.
Sometimes, you’ll also need planning permission or Building Regulations Approval from the local council.
Some of the most common alterations are:
- Moving/removing fitted units or doors
- Decorating or changing the flooring
- Changes to central heating
- Plumbing in washing machines or other appliances
- Building a patio
- Knocking down walls
- Installing double glazing
- Fitting a gas fire or building a feature fireplace
- Enclosing porches
- Building extensions
- Installing more/different fences
- Putting up satellite dishes
- Fitting different light switches
- Adding or moving electrical points
- Replacing wall tiling
- Replacing kitchen units and bathroom suites
Some of the most common alterations are:
- Moving/removing fitted units or doors
- Decorating or changing the flooring
- Changes to central heating
- Plumbing in washing machines or other appliances
- Building a patio
- Knocking down walls
- Installing double glazing
- Fitting a gas fire or building a feature fireplace
- Enclosing porches
- Building extensions
- Installing more/different fences
- Putting up satellite dishes
- Fitting different light switches
- Adding or moving electrical points
- Replacing wall tiling
- Replacing kitchen units and bathroom suites
Advice when planning home improvements
- All electrical work must be done by a qualified electrician (under Part L of the Building Regulations requirements) and you will have to give us safety certificates to prove it.
- Your rent won’t go up because of any improvements you make, but you will be responsible for repairs. If you don’t get permission you may be charged to repair or restore your home to how it was before.
- If you move you may qualify for a compensation payment (less an allowance for depreciation) for an improvement or alteration you carried out after 1st April 1994. But you must have written permission from us to do the work to qualify for this. Please contact us for more information.
Home improvements we have planned
From time to time, we also make improvements to the homes to make sure they stay in a good condition. This includes things like new kitchens and bathrooms, new windows and doors and new central heating. If we plan to do home improvement on your home in the near future, we’ll be in touch to talk to you about it.
Report a Repair
To make sure your home stays in good condition we need to work together to ensure repairs are reported swiftly and carried out efficiently.
Paying Rent
Before you move into your new home we will talk to you about your income, how you are going to make your rent payments and help you to plan a budget.