Ask us for permission to make a change in your home

Examples of when our permission is required (this list is not exhaustive):

• Installing an electric vehicle charging point
• Replace or alter bathroom fixtures
• Replace or alter kitchen fixtures
• Paint or decorate previously unpainted surfaces
• Replace or alter doors and windows
• Install or alter boundary walls
• Create a dropped kerb or add off-road parking/driveway
• Add or alter fencing or railings (not like-for-like in style or height)
• Make large garden alterations (e.g., changing ground levels or adding terracing)
• Install patios or paths
• Install solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) systems
• Alter water supply pipes or drainage systems
• Perform electrical work (e.g., adding new sockets, showers, or lighting)
• Install a gas cooker where no supply currently exists
• Install a non-standard TV/radio aerial, or any aerial for flats or properties under 5 years old
• Add a telephone line in a flat
• Install cable broadband/TV in a flat or property
• Install a satellite dish (non-standard, on a block with more than 3 flats, or on a property under 5 years old)
• Install a CCTV system that is hard-wired or requires structural work
• Install a remote heating control system (e.g., Hive or similar)
• Add a cat/dog flap to non-front UPVC doors with easily removable panels

• Install sheds or similar temporary structures larger than 3m x 2.4m, outside of a private rear garden, or for properties less than 5 years old. Regardless of size, sheds must not be situated within 3 meters of any building where there are openings, or a material that may allow a fire to spread. Sheds must be no closer than 1 metre where there are no openings in the brick or solid, non-combustible construction wall. They cannot have a water supply.

• Painting & decoration of previously painted surfaces (no wallpaper in properties less than 12 months old)
• Wall-hung shelves/pictures/TVs
• Internal doors replacement (non-fire doors)
• Laminate/tiled/timber flooring (non-flat or ground-floor flat)
• Curtains/blinds
• Sheds smaller than 10x8 feet in a private rear garden of properties older than 5 years (in line with criteria such as type, height, distance from property, etc.)
• Gardening (turf, plants, and shrubs in private garden areas only – not astro turf or trees)
• Water meter installation by utility provider
• Smart meter installation by utility provider
• Gas cooker installation (if current supply exists)
• Aerial - Standard TV/Radio (Non-flat & Property older than 5 years)
• Telephone line (non-flat)
• Cable - Broadband/TV (Non-flat & Property older than 5 years)
• Satellite dish (Standard size, Non-flat or Block with less than 3 flats, Property older than 5 years)
• Ring doorbells (not fixed to doors and in line with GDPR and CCTV procedures)

Note: Other permissions may still be required, like planning permission, particularly if your home is listed or in a conservation area. You will be responsible for investigating and obtaining these. If you are unsure about the materials you will be disturbing in the course of the works, please contact your neighbourhood coach.

• cavity wall or loft insulation 
• conversion or sub-dividing room 
• any alterations to the loft
• structural alterations
• removing or replacing any ironmongery on a fire door
• laminate/tiled/timber flooring (flats first floor and above)
• cat/dog flaps in fire doors, front doors, composite doors
• conservatory
• porches
• extensions to the home
• pond/pool
• any works to communal areas 
• construction of any garage or carports
• solar panels/PV systems that are third party funded
• wood burners
• gas open or balanced flued fires
• heating or hot water system replacement or alterations
• decking
• pergola (when attached to property)
• bifold doors
• boundary hedge removal
• replacement of grass with astro turf
• removal or planting of trees
• electric vehicle charging points in communal parking areas
• painting or vinyl wrapping of tiles or kitchen/bathroom surfaces
• painting external doors, windows, and walls
• Replacing a bath with a shower unless recommended by an occupational therapist
• Sheds within 3 meters of a house

Claims should be made in writing within a period starting 28 days before and ending 14 days after the tenancy ends.

Only certain improvements qualify for compensation, including:

• bathrooms (bath, shower, washbasin, toilet)
• kitchen units and sinks
• double glazing/secondary glazing/window replacement and/or draught proofing of external doors or windows
• rewiring or other electrical fittings (including smoke detectors)
• security works (excluding burglar alarms)

Compensation will only be paid where we have given written permission prior to the work being undertaken. Before the works, you must get three estimates from independent contractors and inform us which estimate you chose and why. DIY improvements will not be considered.

Important notes on compensation:

• any compensation given at the end of the tenancy will allow for depreciation, i.e., it will be less than the customer paid for the work.
• any compensation due to the customer at the end of their tenancy will be deducted from any money they owe to Bromford.
• if the landlord terminates the tenancy through legal action, the customer will not be entitled to compensation.
• if the customer exercises their Right to Buy, Right to Acquire, or purchases the entire property under Social Homebuy, they will not be entitled to compensation.
• compensation should be calculated using the statutory formula and the list of notional lifespans for qualifying improvements as set out in the Compensation Policy calculating formula. The maximum compensation payable is £3,000 and the minimum is £50.

Compensation Policy calculating formula

Qualifying improvements and formula for calculating the amount of compensation:

Below is a list of improvements that tenants can make to their home at their own cost once permission has been granted:

Qualifying improvements and notional life (years):

Bathrooms

• bath or shower: 12 years
• wash-hand basin: 12 years
• toilet: 12 years

Kitchens

• kitchen sink: 10 years
• storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen: 10 years
• work surfaces for food preparation: 10 years

Heating

• Insulation of pipes, water tank, or cylinder: 10 years

Insulation

• Draught proofing of external doors or windows: 8 years

Other

• Double glazing or other external window replacement or secondary glazing: 20 years
• Rewiring or the provision of power and lighting or other electrical fittings (including smoke detectors): 15 years
• Any object which improves the security of the dwelling, but excluding burglar alarms: 10 years

Formula for calculating the amount of compensation:

C x (N - Y)

• C = Cost of the improvement (less any grant received)
• N = Notional life of the improvement
• Y = Number of complete years since the improvement was made (part years are rounded up)

Right to compensation for improvements – example:

A customer installs a bathroom suite costing £480.00. The notional life is 12 years.

The improvement is discounted at £40 per year.

The tenant claims compensation 4 years after the improvement is made.

Notional life minus number of years improvement completed: 12 years – 4 years = 8 years.

Cost divided by notional life = depreciation/discounted amount: £480 / 12 years = £40 per annum.

Depreciation x number of years: £40 x 8 years = £320.

Total compensation due = £320