Can I make a home improvement?
To request to make a home improvement, please contact us via live chat and let us know what you’d like to do. We’ll review your request and contact you to let you know if it’s been approved or refused. It’s important to remember that if we approve a home improvement, it may come with agreeable terms, and if these are not met your permission can be withdrawn.
All home improvements are to be arranged by you, and you'll be responsible for repairing/maintaining the improvement.
Some requests will need to be looked into, such as a request to install a driveway or electrical vehicle charging point, if this is the case our Customer Experience will let you know and our Assets team will need 10 working days to investigate.
If you’ve started or completed a home improvement already, but didn’t realise you needed to seek permission, please let us know what work has been undertaken so we can review this.
Asbestos was used in most buildings before it was banned in 2000 and it’s common to find it in many homes today. If it's in good condition and you don't disturb it (disturbing it means things like drill, saw, scrub or sand), there’s no issue with it being in place. But it’s important to treat it with care, as breathing in fibres can cause cancer and lung disease.
If your home was built before 2000, please contact us before completing any works and we can check if your home has asbestos.
You can find out more about asbestos in this article.
- A defects period is the time where you can report to the developer of your new build that something hasn't been fitted to the best standard
- It usually lasts 1 year after the home is handed over to us but check if you’re unsure how long yours is. You may not have a full year if you move in after the property is handed over to us, so it’s important you know when yours ends
- During the defects period, we don't allow you to make home improvements, as the home needs time to settle and making these improvements can cause the warranty to be cancelled
- If you need to make a medical adaptation, also known as a DP15 or DFG, this is allowed, however please us know before you plan the work
- Installing a cat flap
- Installing a dishwasher
- Replacing fencing
- Replacing kitchens / bathrooms
- Adding plug sockets
- Installing a wooden shed (maximum size is 3 m by 5 m)
However, if you’re in arrears we’ll not approve your request until the arrears are cleared.
If you're in a new build property, you will need to wait till your defects period has finished before completing home improvements.
For our renting customers we wouldn't allow:
- Converting a loft
- Boarding a loft
- Installing a fixed loft ladder
- Building a garage
- Converting a garage
- Structural changes such as putting up a stud wall or removing walls
- Installing a fireplace
- Installing in ground swimming pools/ponds
In these instances, we'll not review your request on an individual basis but will automatically decline.
If you're a Shared Owner or Leaseholder, these will depend on your lease. Our Assets teams will look into some of these with you to see if we can give you permission.
Some improvements may be made by shared owners or leaseholders — this depends on the percentage owned and the terms of your lease.
Please get in touch with us with any intended plans before progressing.
