We appreciate that you may want to decorate or make other changes to your home such as improvements or adaptations. Before you do, please check whether you need to get our permission first.   

If you have mobility issues, you may also want to view our Adaptations page. 

You can read our Alterations and Improvements Policy here. 

What you don't need permission for
  • Internal painting and decorating, though in new properties you should wait 6-12months while they dry out.   
  • Replacing like for like floor coverings e.g., carpet with carpet (laminate will usually require permission for flats)  
  • Curtain rails  
  • Lock changes  
  • Additional phone sockets (by telephone provider)  
  • Toilet seats and lids  

The following items are permitted, though you will need to check your Residents’ Agreement to see where there are any restrictions in place. 

  • Fixing pictures and mirrors 
  • Putting up shelves  
  • Securing flatpack furniture to walls  
  • Temporary / removable garden water features  
  • TV/Sky aerial 
  • Security cameras or security lighting subject to any data protection restrictions  
  • Hot tubs in areas that are not shared/communal spaces 
We will not grant permission for the following
  • A gas fire 
  • A flueless gas fire  
  • A log/wood burner or coal fire  
  • A solid fuel heater  
  • Cat or dog flaps in any composite or fire door  
  • Any alterations to the loft space including boarding  
  • Hard standing that takes up more than 20 percent of the garden footprint. This includes dry lay paving slabs  
  • Cavity wall insulation  
  • Textured walls  
  • Decking that adjoins the property or property boundary  
  • Roofing works of any type 

How to get permission

For all other items not in the above lists you will need to get our permission.  

You can get our permission by contacting us.   

To decide whether to grant your request we will assess a number of factors, including:

  • In order to decide whether to grant permission, we will assess a number of factors including the following factors: 
  • Whether the alteration removes or inhibits any existing accessibility features or adaptations. 
  • The impact on the structure or fabric of the building. 
  • The effect of the alteration on neighbouring properties and the overall appearance of the local area. 
  • The specification of any equipment to ensure it does not negatively affect existing structures or components. 
  • Whether the proposed changes will interfere with any planned maintenance, servicing, or upgrade cycles. 
  • If the alteration needs to be reversed at the end of your tenancy, the potential cost of doing so will be taken into account. 

Frequently asked questions

Who carries out the repairs to any changes?

You will be responsible for the ongoing repairs and maintenance of any property improvements and alterations. 

Do shared owners or leaseholders need to get permission?

You may need to get permission depending on the wording of your lease. 

Will permission be affected by the cost of the changes?

If the work is estimated to cost over £5,000, you’ll need to prove you can afford the changes. 

Do I still need planning and building regulations?

Yes, any changes must comply with all legal requirements.  

Are there restrictions on who can do the work?

If you appoint a contractor, you’ll need to ensure that they meet the requirements shown in our Improvements and Alterations Policy.