Home improvements

It is important to remember that you will be responsible for the costs of maintaining and repairing any home improvement work you carry out. You will also be responsible for removing items and reinstating your home should you move, unless our Lettings Team is happy for the improvements to stay.

What is classed as a home improvement?

It is any change that you want to make to the fixture or fittings in your home or garden. For example, changing your kitchen units or bathroom suite, replacing windows or installing an electric car charger. Erecting fencing and laying paving are also classed as home improvements.

How do you get approval for a home improvement?

First of all, you need to send us written details of the work you would like to carry out, either by letter, email or via our online form below. It is important you include as much information as possible.

• Your name, address and tenancy number.
• Details of the improvements you would like to carry out.
• A list of the rooms or areas affected.
• Information about the materials you plan to use.
• The name of any contractor you will be employing, along with relevant insurance details.
• Include photos where possible.

What happens after you request permission for a home improvement?

In most cases, we will make a decision quickly without you having to do anything else. We will send you written confirmation of our decision, either by email or letter.

If your request is a bit more complicated, could impact on others or will affect the existing structure of your home, we might want to come and visit you or ask you for some more information.

Are there any home improvements that are not allowed?

We don’t allow any new structures, such as extensions or lean-tos, to be built onto your home, especially not wooden structures. There are lots of reasons for this.

• Structures on shared or adjacent driveways can cause problems for neighbours.
• If a structure falls into disrepair or needs removing after someone has moved out, this could incur costs for Connect.
• Issues of liability can be complicated, especially if someone was hurt or damage was caused because of the structure.
• Wooden structures must be at least six metres away from a house to meet fire regulations.

We also don’t allow tenants to paint or apply film to kitchen cupboard doors.

Structural changes to your home?

If you would like to ask for permission to make any structural changes to your home, such as altering doorways or removing a chimney breast, we would need detailed information from you before we could agree to the work.

This includes:

• Detailed plans and current and proposed layout drawings.
• Builders’ quotes.
• A list of all materials which would be used.
• Designs and calculations from structural engineers.
• Proof of funds to complete the work.

We would also ask you to supply information about the contractor you would be using, including:

• Construction Line or Contractor Health and Safety (CHAS) registration.
• A copy of their public liability policy (minimum £5m cover).
• Evidence of competency in this type of work.
• Risk assessments and method statements.
• A scaffold erection certificate, if appropriate to the work.
• Warranties and guarantees on materials and labour.
• Electrical and gas safety qualifications, plus electrical and gas commissioning certificates when the work is finished.
• Asbestos reports.
• Post-inspection handover document to confirm work is completed to the required standard and the site is safe and clean.

If we are happy with your plans, you will then need to seek building control approval.