We want you to enjoy your home as much as possible. Sometimes you might want to make changes yourself or you may need to request an aid or adaptation.
Decorating your home
You can decorate your home without our permission. You can paint it or wallpaper it, as you wish.
Things to remember when decorating:
- Soak any wallpaper before removing it. If possible, use a steam stripper and then gently peel away the paper before redecorating.
- Please avoid painting radiators, plug sockets, tiles or kitchen units.
- Don’t carry out any DIY work on any part of your home which you think may contain asbestos. Please contact us first for advice.
- Please don’t try to remove old floor tiles or linoleum. Leave them in place and lay your new floor coverings over them
Please be aware that whilst our Repairs team will do their best to find a like-for-like replacement, we cannot guarantee to match materials, like wallpaper, when fixing a repair at your home.
If you cause any damage to fixtures and fittings when decorating, you may be charged a fee to cover the costs of repair when you move out.
Requesting aids and adaptations
We’re committed to helping you live safely and independently in your home. If you have a disability and/or mobility need, you can ask for aids or adaptations to be made to your home.
We can provide adaptations to your home, in partnership with other organisations such as your local council.
Minor adaptations
Examples of the types of minor adaptations we can provide are:
- grab rails
- bannister rails
- lever taps
- door intercom system
- widening of doors for wheelchair users
- key-safes
- external handrails
- half steps
- small ramps (for wheelchair users)
How to request a minor adaptation
To request a minor adaptation to your home, please contact us.
Contact usMajor adaptations
Examples of the major adaptations we can provide are:
- stair-lifts
- through floor lifts
- lever access showers
- kitchen adaptations
- extensions
- large ramps (for wheelchair users)
How to request a major adaptation
To request a major adaptation, you’ll need to contact your local council first and arrange for a member of their Community Occupational Therapy Team to visit you and complete an assessment of your needs.
We’ll then consider the recommendations and your individual circumstances based on:
- household size, in particular where residents are under-occupying a property that is in high demand as a family home
- first-floor properties or above where there is no lift
- the impact of the proposed adaptations on the full and proper use of the property
- the value for money, and also our ability to re-let the property in terms of the cost of the works
- the availability of more appropriate alternative accommodation
- the availability of existing support networks
- where the adaptations will not meet the long-term needs of the resident
- budget restrictions
In some cases, the recommendations may need to go to our Major Adaptation Panel to make the decision.
We’ll keep you updated about your application, every step of the way. If we’re unable to adapt your home then we’ll send you a decision letter explaining why. Our housing team will then contact you to discuss your options regarding moving to a more suitable home.
If you don’t agree with the decision, then you have the right to appeal in writing within 14 days of receiving our letter.
Contact usMaking alterations
If you want to make any other alterations or structural changes to your property, please contact us to get our permission first. This is so we can make sure our properties remain safe and habitable for current and future residents.
We’ll consider all reasonable requests for alterations to your home.
Some examples of alterations that need permission are:
- replacement of windows/doors internal or external
- replacement kitchen/bathrooms
- putting up aerials/satellite dishes
- alterations to the layout of a property, for example, removing walls (a structural surveyor report would be required before approval would be given to remove a wall)
- new electrical installations
- installation of a gas cooking appliance, such as cooker, range, or hob
- loft conversions
- building porches
- laying driveways
- changes to the layout of your garden
- alterations or replacement of existing boundary fences/walls
- any alterations to any of the properties outside areas
- installation of CCTV
If you’re unsure, contact us with some details of what you want to do, and we’ll let you know if our permission is needed.
As part of your request, we may ask one of our experienced surveyors to inspect your home and assess the changes you want to make.
If we give you permission to make the changes, you’ll need to provide us with certain documents or information before you can start the work.
Depending on what changes you want to make, you may be asked to provide:
- public liability insurance
- risk and method statements
- refurbishment or demolition survey (for asbestos management purposes)
- materials specification
- gas safe registration
- NICEC registration
- proof of planning permission (from your local council)
If the work you want to do is notifiable under Construction Design and Management Regulations, it’s your responsibility to make sure the Health and Safety Executive is notified. You or your contractor (the ‘duty holder’) can do this.
This is to ensure any work you are doing is suitably managed and ensures the health and safety of anyone who may be affected by the work, including members of the public.
If any work is carried out without permission, you may need to return the property to its original condition, or we’ll carry out the work and have to charge you.
Apply to make alterations
To apply, please contact us. We’ll send you everything you need to complete your application.
Once permission is given, you’ll have six months to complete the work.
Please be aware that not all alterations get approved.
Contact us