Planning home improvements?

Depending on your budget there are lots of ways that you can change the look of your council home to make it more to your taste, from installing a shower, laying new flooring, or brightening up a room with a fresh lick of paint. But some improvements require our prior agreement.

It’s a condition of your Tenancy Agreement that you tell us before you carry out certain jobs. This includes anything that changes the structure of your property or alters any of the fixtures and fittings such as:

• Adding, moving or rewiring electrics
• Adding to or changing your heating or hot water system
• Refitting a kitchen, bathroom or shower
• Fitting laminate or wood flooring
• Putting in a driveway, hard-standing or paved parking area
• Installing outside CCTV cameras/equipment
• Installing a smart meter
• Erecting a fence or decking
• Adding a conservatory or porch

Check online for a full list of improvements requiring our prior permission but if you have any queries or are in doubt about whether you need to check with us, please talk to your Local Housing Office. Remember you will have to pay for the improvements and find qualified tradespeople to carry out the work.

We may have to remove whatever you have done, and you could even be charged for the work to restore your home, if you don’t get the go-ahead from us first.

Planning to redecorate?

If your DIY plans are smaller scale and simply involve a new coat of paint or wallpaper, you don’t need to check with us first. But you might want to read our useful online decorating advice to help you achieve a professional finish. Our team of expert trade staff have shared their top tips on jobs including how to fill in cracks and the best way to prepare and paint a wall or ceiling. Watch a step-by-step video to help you complete your painting job with confidence.

You can also find lots more ideas, practical DIY advice and videos at B&Q including how to put up shelves and how to calculate the number of tins of paint to buy.