Home improvements - Connect Housing

Want to carry out home improvements?

Most of the time, this is fine, but you will need to ask for our permission before you start work.

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 a home improvement?

It’s any change that you want to make to the fixture or fittings in your home or garden.

Examples of home improvements include:

Replacing internal doors.
Built in wardrobes and cupboards.
Changes to kitchens or bathrooms.
Floor tiles, laminate or wooden flooring.
Gas or electric fires and wood burning stoves.
Any electrical additions or alterations, including new sockets, switches, wiring and central heating.
Security fittings, including grilles on doors or windows, burglar alarms, lighting, CCTV and video doorbells.
Satellite dishes and broadband.
Garden walls, fencing and sheds.
Patios and driveways.
Adding textured coatings to the internal or external walls and/or ceilings of your home.
Painting the exterior of your home.

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 – within 28 days.

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.

What happens if you make changes to your property without permission?

If you make changes to your property without our written permission, or if works are not carried out to an acceptable standard, we can:

Tell you to return the property to how it was before – if you don’t do this, we may do the work and charge you for it, or seek possession of the property.
Let you keep the work as it is, but once your tenancy ends we will carry out remedial work or reverse any alterations or additions you have made – you may be charged for the cost of this work.

Our expectations for permitted home improvements

- All work shall conform to the current building regulations.
- All work shall be carried out by qualified operatives at no cost to Connect Housing.
- It is the contractors full responsibility to ensure they have appropriate asbestos information and are asbestos awareness trained before commencing work.
- You will bear all costs in connection with installation and maintenance of the improvement during the course of the tenancy.
- Connect Housing will not be responsible for the conduct or workmanship of the contractor and will not be liable for damage caused by the tradesperson or become involved in any disputes between the tenant and the contractor. Additionally, the tenant must agree payment terms direct with the contractor.
- If you vacate the property the items shall be removed by you and reinstated to the original condition, unless agreed with our Lettings team when you decide to move.

Compensation for home improvements

At the end of your tenancy, you may be entitled to compensation for any improvements you have carried out to your home at your own expense. Any compensation will only be payable if you have received permission to do the improvements, and if those improvements have added value to your home, as assessed by an independent property valuer.

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.

If you or someone living in your home are struggling due to a long-term illness, disability or mobility issues we may be able to help.

We run a free service that can make minor changes in your home to help you live more independently.

Examples of typical minor adaptations are:

Grab rails to help you get in and out of the bath, shower or front door.
Lever taps if you are struggling to turn your current taps.
A shower seat if you are unable to stand for long periods.
A key safe so carers can let themselves in if you are struggling to get to the door.
An extra handrail on your staircase.
A step or small ramp to make it easier for you to get in and out of your home.

For more information on the service, call us on 0300 5000 600 and choose option 2 for repairs.

You can also email repairs@connecthousing.org.uk or fill out the form on this page.

We aim to complete any minor adaptations within 28 days of your request.

Do I need permission to install an electric vehicle (EV) charging point?

Yes. If you want to have an EV charging point installed, you’ll need to ask for our permission before the installation takes place. We want to support you to make your home more sustainable, so we’ll grant permission whenever we can, but there are several factors we must take into consideration before permission can be granted.

Can anyone have an EV charging point installed?

Unfortunately, no. At the present time we will not grant permission unless your property has its own private driveway. Houses and flats with shared or on-street parking spaces make the installation and monitoring of EV charger usage significantly more complex. It is also illegal to run cables across public highways under the Highways Act 1980. This poses a safety hazard for pedestrians.

Will Connect Housing pay for the installation?

No. You will need to pay for the installation yourself. However, government funding is available to help with installation costs.

Who can install an EV charger?

You must ensure any installation is completed by a qualified and registered electrician who has completed a training course for installing EV charger equipment (Electric Vehicle Charging Installations 2921) and is registered with a Competent Person Scheme (like NICEIC). It's up to you to choose a reliable product and ensure that any making good arising from the installation (e.g. damage to brickwork, plasterwork etc.) is completed. Your installer should do this.

Where can an EV charger be installed?

Your charger should be in a secure location, externally mounted, and as close as possible to your parked vehicle. You need to ensure that the charging cable is long enough to reach your car, whilst avoiding trip hazards from trailing cables. Your installer will advise you on the best position for the charging point.

Who is responsible for maintaining the EV charger?

You will be responsible for maintaining the EV charger after it has been installed. Regular upkeep ensures the charger operates safely and efficiently. The electrical setup will be inspected every five years as part of Connect Housing's “Fixed Wire Electrical Testing Programme”. Any issues or dangerous installations identified during the 5-yearly tests will be immediately isolated and made safe. It will then be your responsibility to arrange an electrician to rectify any issues.

Can I charge more than one car at a time?

No. EV chargers will typically have one outlet to allow one car at a time to be connected. As the charger will be metered via the home’s electricity meter, it can only serve a single home. If your installer tells you that your electrical consumer unit does not meet current standards, it will need to be replaced with a new unit, with enough outgoing circuits for the existing installation and the new EV charger. You will need to pay for this work, but the installation itself is something that we would arrange through our specialist electrical contractor, and we would then recharge the costs to you. You can tell us whether you need a new consumer unit when you request permission for the EV charger.

What do I need to do once the EV charger has been installed?

When the electrician has finished the installation, they will issue you with a copy of the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). This certificate confirms that the charger has been installed to the appropriate safety standards. You must send Connect Housing a copy of the EIC within 30 days of the installation.

What else should I be aware of?

We strongly recommend that you also have in place home contents insurance, and that you let your insurer know you are installing an EV charger. This is because our buildings insurance will cover damage to the structure of the building, but it won’t cover damage to your possessions or repair/replacement of the charger itself, should there be a fire or other accidental damage caused by your EV charger.

What If I have an electrical vehicle, but I cannot have an EV charger?

Whilst not ideal, consider charging your vehicle at a public charging point, at work, or at someone else’s house, such as friends or family.

There are a few rules and laws around privacy that you must adhere to when it comes to CCTV and video doorbells.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) states that any domestic CCTV system must be used in a way that respects other people’s privacy.

CCTV and all other image capturing devices should be positioned so that they only film within the boundaries of your property, and not any neighbouring property or other public areas.

The cameras must not cause a nuisance to any neighbours or impose on their privacy. Cameras being deliberately trained on a neighbour’s property could amount to harassment and a breach of their rights.

Cameras can be installed in communal areas as long as you can prove you have consulted with other residents and put signs up to warn/advise them they are there.

There is detailed guidance available on the Information Commissioners Office Website

As per planning permission rules, the fence at the front, back or side of the property must be:

Aesthetically pleasing and no higher than three feet if it's is on a public highway.
A maximum of six feet high if it's not next to a public highway.

You must speak to your affected neighbours to make sure they're happy with the fence and for the work to be carried out, despite any inconvenience to them.

For a fence higher than stated, you must get planning permission and send the approval to us.

If you need a more significant adaptation such as a stairlift, a level access shower or wetroom, your local council may be able to help through the Disabled Facilities Grant scheme.

The council will refer you to an Occupational Therapist (your GP can usually request a referral to the Occupational Therapy Team also) who will review your situation and submit a request to the council for any adaptations if they feel you are eligible.

You can also try these contact details of your local authority if you want to apply for an assessment for a major adaptation:

Leeds City Council
0113 222 4403 (for children)
0113 222 4401 (for adults)
Web page about adapting your home

Kirklees Council
01484 225 335
Email: AHT@kirklees.gov.uk
Web page about adapting your home

Calderdale Council
01422 393 000
Email: gatewaytocare@calderdale.gov.uk
Web page about adapting your home

Bradford Council
01274 434 520
Email: CHPenquiries@bradford.gov.uk
Web page about adapting your home

Wakefield Council
01977 722 220
Email: adaptationsservice@wakefield.gov.uk
Web page about adapting your home
Self service referral link

Request to carry out basic home improvements

If you would like to apply for permission to carry out basic home improvements, please complete and submit this form.

By submitting this form, you are agreeing that Connect Housing can store your contact details for the purpose of dealing with your enquiry. If you would like to know why we ask for your data, how we use it and how we look after it, please see our privacy policy.