Home alterations

Alterations and improvements

You may make alterations to your home provided you get our written permission before you start. You may also need to get Building Regulation Approval or Planning Consent from the local council. Before we give our consent the Technical Services Manager or surveyor may need to discuss your proposals with you. We won't refuse permission without good reason. 

Alterations/improvements include:-

Alterations without permission could count as damage and you may be charged for the cost of putting the property back to its original condition. Whatever work you plan to do to your home, it is best to ask first. We will not pay for maintaining your improvements.

For some improvements agreed after April 1995 you may qualify for compensation when you leave.  See rules for compensation for improvements

Adaptations for disabled people


If you feel that some adaptations would make living in your home easier you should speak to your doctor who can refer you to the Council's Occupational Therapist.  They will visit you to discuss what they might be able to do. This could range from a simple grab rail to get in and out of the bath, installing a wet room or shower to an electric stair lift for getting up and down stairs, or a ramp to make it easier to get up the steps to your patio door or a visible warning when your phone or door bell rings.

You should contact your Housing Officer to talk about the proposals. If the work will cost less than £1000, the Foundation may be able to do the work and pay for the adaptation.  We would work with you and the Occupational Therapist to organise it.

If the cost is more than £1000 then the Council may be able to provide a grant for the work.  They may organise the work themselves or you may have to organise the work.  Please ask the Council of the Foundation for advice

Although our permission would be necessary we would be unlikely to refuse and would also help you with any paperwork, such as getting planning consent from the Council, if you wanted us to.