Improvements you can do
Improvements you can do
As a tenant, you have the right to make some improvements and alterations to your home. You must get our permission before you start any work.
Examples of improvements:
- Installing an electrical item such as an electrical vehicle charging point, light fitting, or shower.
- Fitting a new kitchen or bathroom.
- Replacing items such as internal doors or external doors and windows
- Putting in a new gas or electrical appliances such as a fire or cooker
- Taking out internal or external walls
- Blocking off doorways
- Installing an outside tap
- Building an extension of any type such as a conservatory or loft conversion
- Putting up any type of structure such as a shed or lean-to
- Putting up fencing
- Removing a hedge or tree on the property
- Fitting a satellite dish
- Creating a hardstanding area for a vehicle or something else such as a trailer
There are other things that we call improvements, so it's best to ask for our permission before you make any changes or do any work in your home. You don’t need to ask our permission to decorate inside your home.
Any improvements or alterations you make to the property are your responsibility to repair and maintain.
Requesting permission from us
You must get our written permission before you carry out improvements or alterations in your home. If you start work before getting our permission, you could be asked to restore the property to its original condition at your own expense.
If you live in a flat, any alterations may affect the fire safety of your flat or the whole building. Even small alterations like making holes in walls for cables and pipes or fitting an extractor fan can have a serious effect. If you’re unsure if the work you’re planning needs our permission, contact us.
To request permission, download and complete the Permit Request to Make Improvements and Alterations and email it to [email protected], or post it to your Local Housing office - If you are not sure which is your local housing office, contact us and we will let you know. Please provide as much information about the work you’re planning, and any relevant documents or images.
Download the form: Permit Request to Make Improvements and Alterations
Return addresses
South - Allenton Local Housing Office, Bingham Street, Allenton, Derby, DE24 9BS
North - Sussex Circus Housing Office, St Andrew’s View, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 6YF
Responses and permit timescales
We aim to respond to all permit requests within 28 working days. There are some instances where this may be longer depending on the nature of the work, and whether we need to carry out an inspection. We will let you know if this is the case.
Refusing requests
There are some occasions where it is not possible for us to approve your request. If we refuse your request, we will write to you and explain the reasons why.
Completing the work
Once we have agreed the work, you can start.
All permits have an expiry date, so the work needs to be completed before this date. Your permit will be valid for:
- six months, for general alterations
- 28 days for gas and electric installations
You need to let us know when you have finished the work so we can inspect it.
You will need to return the property to its original condition if you move out of your home. This means any alterations will need to be removed unless we have agreed in writing that they can remain.
Gas and Electrical work
Any gas or electrical work must be completed by someone that is suitably qualified and registered on the Gas Safe or Electrical Safety Register. They will give you a safety certificate once the work is complete. You need to send us a copy of this. If you do not provide the safety certificate or use a registered engineer, your appliances or fitting may be disconnected or removed at your expense.
Work that requires building or planning permission
Some alterations will need building or planning permission. It’s your responsibility to find this out and apply for the relevant permission.
If the work you want to carry out needs building and/or planning permission, you should contact us first to make sure the work is something we would agree to, before paying any application fees. If we agree to the work, it is your responsibility to get the planning or building permission and provide us with evidence that approval was given for the work to be carried out. More information on how to apply is on GOV.UK.
Once the work is complete, you'll need to provide us with a Building Regulation Completion Certificate, to show the work is compliant with building regulations.
Asbestos
We will let you know what asbestos information we hold on your home when we issue your permit. Any asbestos information provided by Derby Homes should be used for information purposes only. You must arrange a new survey before any work is carried out to the property.
You are responsible for arranging and paying for an appropriate asbestos survey before any work is carried out in your property that you have arranged. You must inform the contractors carrying out the work of any asbestos containing materials present to make sure it is not disturbed while the work takes place.