Developer’s doctor

James Zamchick is Sales, Marketing and Commercial Director for the Placemaking and Regeneration division at Places for People. James joined Places For People more than four years ago, leading sales for high-profile regeneration schemes across the UK. He oversees the sales, lettings, marketing, customer experience and commercial functions, ensuring a seamless customer journey from the first point of enquiry all the way to the aftercare

QI’ve recently bought my first home

using shared ownership; how much decorating am I allowed to do?

AFirstly, huge congratulations on the purchase of your new home – a very exciting time! One of the things people like most about getting on to the property ladder is the knowledge that it’s yours – you are the homeowner and as a result have rights to decorate as you wish.

The great thing about buying a new build home in particular is the blank canvas you obtain; everything is decorated to a highquality, modern standard, with brand new kitchens and appliances, bathroom suites and flooring. But, of course, it can also be nice putting your own stamp on it.

When it comes to the inside of your home, then it’s no different with shared ownership, whether that’s painting every room a different colour, or creating a feature wall of photos of your cat – it’s totally up to you.

However, you’ll definitely want to review your lease to check exactly what you are allowed to do, as most only allow aesthetic changes. If you want to make structural changes (such as fitting a new kitchen or bathroom suite, or changing internal wall layouts) you will need to gain written permission from the leaseholder – your housing association – though it should not be able to withhold permission unreasonably.

Some developers will spend more time and effort on interior designs than others. At East Wick + Sweetwater, the new neighbourhood we’re building on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, we made sure each apartment features a vibrant design to match the creative feel found in nearby Hackney Wick. However, should our residents wish to add more, they are free to paint, wallpaper, or treat their walls however they see fit, providing it’s not structurally damaging or puts the integrity of the building at risk.

Flooring is carefully considered in all of our homes to ensure comfort of residents – this also includes sound transference. If you’re in an apartment block with a neighbour below you, you’ll need to think about how loud your footsteps would be if you’re looking at changing the floor. Ours are installed to mitigate noise, so we’d suggest not taking up carpets to replace with wood flooring, for example, or swapping lighter laminate for solid tiles.

If you’ve purchased a house, there’s sometimes other aspects to your lease agreement to be aware of, such as those concerning a garden or a driveway. Many agreements don’t allow you to erect any new buildings such as a large shed, or make additions to the nature of the external building, including conservatories, without prior agreement with the landlord.

If in doubt, check your leasehold agreement on what constitutes a structural versus an aesthetic change, and enjoy getting the paintbrush out!

East Wick + Sweetwater, Hackney Wick

James Zamchick, Sales, Marketing and Commercial Director, Places for People

FROM £116,875*

In the shadows of the Olympic Stadium, Copper Box Arena and London Aquatics Centre in east London, East Wick + Sweetwater is a major new London neighbourhood on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Eventually featuring more than 1,800 homes, alongside of ces, exible workspaces, schools and new community spaces, East Wick + Sweetwater is set to play a key role linking the adjacent communities of Hackney Wick, Fish Island and Stratford, becoming a new independent area in its own right.

Genuinely affordable homes will be provided via social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership, alongside quality privately rented apartments, market sale apartments and larger townhouse-style homes.

Every home includes an individual balcony or terrace, while communal spaces for residents will include courtyards and play spaces. Additionally, there will be general areas of green space open to the public, and, of course, residents can easily access the sweeping expanses of Olympic Park, with Hackney Marshes and Victoria Park also nearby.

Bordered by the River Lee Navigation canal and River Lea, the neighbourhood is ideally located in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, next door to Hackney Wick, Fish Island located in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, next door to Hackney Wick, Fish Island and a stone’s throw from Stratford.

The nearest stations are Hackney Wick, Stratford and Stratford International. The Park also The nearest stations are Hackney Wick, Stratford and Stratford International. The Park also has walking and cycling trails, bus routes, and it’s 20 minutes from the M25. has walking and cycling trails, bus routes, and it’s 20 minutes from the M25.

For further information, please visit eastwickandsweetwater.co.uk or call 020 3369 0573 For further information, please visit eastwickandsweetwater.co.uk or call 020 3369 0573

*Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £467,500