NEED TO KNOW: YOUR TENANCY 2.10 HOME IMPROVEMENT

NICE TO KNOW: YOUR WELLBEING

You are welcome to make improvements to your home.

Before you make certain changes, you must get our permission in writing. Improvements that you need our permission for include:

• Installing a new kitchen or bathroom

• Putting up a satellite dish or CCTV camera

• Decorating the outside of your home (we aim to do this every seven years)

• Adding to or replacing any of the fixtures or fittings inside your home

• Erecting an extension, porch or conservatory

• Any building work, including the relocation or removal of walls and internal doors and electrical work or gas work

• Any work that creates a hole between your home and the communal parts of the building

• Constructing a hard standing or driveway

• We will need to see your permission from the council and we will expect you to get the work carried out to a good standard

You must also get any other approvals you need for the work, such as listed buildings or planning permission.

If you live in a block of flats over 18m in height (or seven storeys), in addition to attaining relevant planning and building control consents, you must also get the consent of your appointed Building Safety Manager. They will monitor and inspect the works to ensure they are completed to the required standard.

Any work that involves gas must be carried out by a contractor registered on the Gas Safe Register.

For electrical work, the contractor must be NICEIC approved and we may ask you for a copy of their certification.

The improvements you make may increase the value of your home and you may be entitled to compensation for the work when you move out. This will depend on:

• Whether the improvement qualifies for compensation

• How much you paid for the work to be done

• How long the improvement is likely to last

• Whether you got our permission before you made the improvement.