Making changes
If you’re looking to make changes to your home, we want to do all that we can to help, and it’s important to have your change approved before you start anything.
Scroll to the bottom to use our tool and find out what improvements you can make to your home, and how to get approval before you begin.
Here are a few things people normally ask:
You will find all of the answers here in our Home Improvements Booklet.
We may refuse the improvements if the proposed works:
- May make the property unsuitable for future customers
- Pose a health and safety risk
- Are likely to be objected to by your neighbours
- Fail to meet, or show how they would meet, building or planning regulations
- Aren’t in keeping with the rest of the property
- Risk weakening the structure of the building
We will give you a full explanation if your application is refused.
Your letter of permission will say if fixtures and fittings you have installed can be removed when you move out. If allowed, you must put your property back to its original condition. Midland Heart will refund you for part of the cost of the improvement if it qualifies under the Right to Compensation for Improvements. An allowance will be made for the age and condition of the improvement.
You will not get compensation if you are taking the improvement when you leave, did not seek permission for the improvements or if you are buying your home under the right to buy scheme.
Interior decoration does not qualify for compensation.
For more information on compensation please see our home improvement booklet
When a property is newly built, it is said to be within a “defects” period. This period usually last for 12 months from the property being completed. During this time, the company who built the property are liable for any snagging or repairs the property may need.
Home improvements cannot be made during this period as it could affect this defects liability.
Choose a topic
Home improvements and DIY
Please select an area to find out what is allowed and what will need permission.
Next
Please choose an option from below...
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The following improvements are not allowed in a Midland Heart property:
- Any improvements to a property in its defect period
- Dishwasher/washing machine installation where no space exists
- Gas central heating installation
- Gas cooker where no gas piping exists in kitchen
- Glazed internal doors
- Insulation - we may want to review this
- Kitchen unit adjustment for non-fitting fridge/freezer where the removal of kitchen units is necessary
- Knock down/erect internal walls
- Laminate on 1st floor or above if property is a flat
- Loft conversions
- Upgrades/extensions to central heating system
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There are some improvements that you do not require permission to carry out
The list below shows which improvements. However if the property is in defects, these, or any other improvements, are not allowed.
- Dishwasher/washing machine installation where space exists and for one and no alterations are needed to plumb in
- Internal non-glass door
- Kitchen door in a house (not a flat) - should be a fire door, but is not mandatory
- Smart meters
- Mixer taps
- Water meters
- Window restrictors to ground floor
- Laminate at ground floor level or any floor in a house
Although you don't need permission, it's important that you let us know if you're going to do any of these improvements.
Before you begin, please let us know by ringing us on 0345 60 20 540.
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There are some improvements that require permission first.
If your planned improvement is on the list below, please fill out the form below to submit your request.
- Bathroom upgrades*
- Dishwasher space where space exists but alterations are needed to plumb in
- Electric fire
- Electric fittings (e.g. lights, sockets. burglar alarms, wired smoke alarms, CCTV)*
- Hearth
- Kitchen door in a flat (must be a fire door)
- Kitchen upgrades*
- Showers*
In the cases where improvements have an *, Midland Heart will require you to provide a quote before making a decision.
Please submit your request by filling out the form below.
After your request has been submitted, a decision will be made and posted to you within ten working days. Depending on the planned improvement a surveyor may need to visit.
Written authorisation will be posted. This will include compliance requirements and a form at the bottom of the letter.
You will need to tell us once the improvement is complete. You can do this by emailing contact@midlandheart.org.uk or by sending the form using the provided pre-paid envelope.
Once we are aware your improvement is complete, a surveyor will inspect it to ensure it is up to standard.
Not what you're looking for?
If this hasn't helped answer your questions and you're still none the wiser, then we want to hear from you.
Next
Please choose an option from below...
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The following improvements are not allowed in one of our properties:
- Any improvements to a property in its defect period
- Cat Flaps
- Conservatories
- Extensions
- External doors
- Front door lock - replace thumb-turn with internal key lock (we do allow some customers to do this where there are children with behavioural issues)
- Metal security gates/grills
- Outside tap
- Ponds
- Satellite dish for a flat in a block containing four or more flats
- Shed - brick (or similar permanent structure)
- Structural works
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There are some improvements that you do not require permission to carry out
The list below details these improvements. However if the property is in defects, these, or any other improvements, are not allowed.
- Cable television/telephone/internet - only underground or using existing cable connection allowed
- Ground anchor (used to secure a bike/caravan or similar)
- Key safe (for care reasons)
Although you don't need permission, it's important that you let us know if you're going to do any of these improvements.
Before you begin, please let us know by ringing us on 0345 60 20 540.
-
There are some improvements that require permission first.
If your planned improvement is on the list below, please fill out the form below to submit your request.
- Canopies*
- Driveways*
- Electrical fittings (e.g. lights, CCTV)*
- Garden works
- Mobility scooter storage*
- New fencing (where no fencing currently or used to exist)*
- Patios*
- Porches*
- Replace existing fencing with different type/height (not like for like)*
- Satellite dishes (if not in conservation area and a dish is not currently anywhere on building)
- Sheds - wood (or similar non-permanent structure
- Additional lock to front or back door
In the cases where improvements have an *, Midland Heart will require you to provide 3 quotes before making a decision.
Please submit your request by filling out the form below.
After your request has been submitted, a decision will be made and posted to you within ten working days. Depending on the planned improvement a surveyor may need to visit.
Written authorisation will be posted. This will include compliance requirements and a form at the bottom of the letter.
You will need to tell us once the improvement is complete. You can do this by emailing contact@midlandheart.org.uk or by sending the form using the provided pre-paid envelope.
Once we are aware your improvement is complete, a surveyor will inspect it to ensure it is up to standard.
Not what you're looking for?
If this hasn't helped answer your questions and you're still none the wiser, then we want to hear from you.
