Tenants Home Improvements / Alterations

The Association actively encourages tenants to maintain their homes in good order, and under the Residents Charter, tenants have the right to undertake (clearly identifiable) home improvements at their own expense, subject to obtaining the prior written consent of the Association.

The Association will not unreasonably withhold permission for improvements provided certain clear procedures are followed.

If you wish to undertake improvements to your home, you should write or email Vectis, providing a description of the work and attaching drawings and specifications where possible. It is advisable to discuss your proposals with us at an early stage. Some improvements may require Planning Permission or Building Regulation Approval from the Local Authority.

In certain circumstances, there may be entitlement to compensation in respect of any improvements undertaken, and which will remain in place when the tenancy is ended. Such compensation is based on the cost of the initial works and is subject to depreciation.

To qualify for compensation, the improvement(s) must be contained within the following list

Qualifying Improvement	Notional life of improvement
Bath or shower	12 years
Wash-hand basin	12 years
Toilet	12 years
Kitchen fittings ie units, worktops	10 years
Storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen	10 years
Space or water heating	12 years
Thermostatic radiator valves	7 years
Insulation ofpipes, water tank or cylinder	10 years
Loft insulation	10 years
Cavity wall insulation	20 years
Draught proofing of external doors and/or windows	5 years
Double glazing or other external window replacement or secondary glazing	20 years
Re-wiring or the provision of power, lighting or other electrical fittings includingmains wired smoke detectors	10 years
Any appliance which improves the security of dwelling but excluding burglar alarms	10 years

Written permission from the Association is a fundamental requirement in order to qualify for compensation at a later date. In such circumstances, tenants must complete and agree to comply with the conditions contained in a standard application form, which is available from the Association upon written request. A copy of the Associations Policy and Procedure Guide will also be issued upon receipt of an application.