Do it online
Your own home improvements
You can carry out minor repairs to your home without our permission.
Examples of a minor repair are:
- unblocking a drain or toilet
- replacing light bulbs
- replacing a toilet seat
- replacing a tap washer
- changing internal door handles
- changing a tap.
If you want to carry out any other type of improvement, you need to write to your local office to ask permission. You will need to give details of the work that you want to do and tell us who will be carrying out the work.
You need to make sure that anyone carrying out work in your home is suitably qualified and competent to carry out the work.
In particular, gas installers must be registered with CORGI and anyone carrying out electrical work needs to be a ‘competent person’.
We will write to you and confirm whether we have given our permission for you to go ahead with this work.
Some improvement work, particularly if it involves electrical or heating improvements, will need building regulations approval.
You will need to discuss this with your local council and make sure that copies of any final certificates are sent to us.
Whenever you are carrying out any home-improvement work yourself, please remember to limit any noisy work to times that will not cause your neighbours any inconvenience.
Asbestos
It is very important that you are aware of the risks of asbestos when carrying out work. You cannot tell whether a product contains asbestos simply by looking at it. The greatest risk arises when asbestos is damaged or drilled, sawn, scrubbed or sanded. When damaged, asbestos releases fibres that can cause serious lung disease. DIY work can result in brief but high levels of exposure. If you think a material might contain asbestos, don’t work on it - get expert advice.
Satellite dishes
Before you put up a satellite dish you should contact us to check whether you need planning permission. In some situations you may not be able to put up a satellite dish.
Compensation
If the improvement you are carrying out is a qualifying improvement, you may be entitled to compensation when you move.
Qualifying improvements are those to:
- baths
- washbasins
- toilets
- kitchen sinks
- kitchen units and worktops
- room or water heating
- pipe insulation, water tanks or cylinders
- loft insulation
- windows (replacement)
- draughtproofing
- rewiring
- security features (not security gates and burglar alarms)
We will only pay compensation if there is evidence that we gave you permission to do the work. The amount of compensation is based on:
- the original cost;
- the condition of the item when you are leaving the property; and
- how long it is since the work was done and how long that item would normally be expected to last.
Wherry energy-saving tips
Take a look at our energy saving videos. Lower your bills and help save the environment.
