Work must not start until you have received written approval from us. We will not unreasonably withhold consent.

• You should provide details of the work to be carried out with drawings and sketches if necessary.
• You must provide three quotations from bona fide contractors and give reasons for choosing a particular quote.
• The work must be carried out in a competent manner using new materials and to our satisfaction.
• All work must comply with planning, building and other statutory regulations as appropriate. We will require proof that these consents have been obtained prior to the work starting.
• Any work to a gas central heating system must by law be carried out by a Gas Safe™ registered installer and test certificates provided.
• Any alterations to an electrical installation must be checked and certified by a qualified electrician. If you fail to provide evidence of testing with a certificate we will need to carry out the test and recharge you the full costs of doing this work.
• You will be responsible for the future maintenance of the improvement, alteration, including any additional costs of maintenance due to the alteration/improvement.
• Any damage to the property during the course of the work will be your responsibility.
• When the work is complete you should inform us so that a member of our staff can make an inspection.
• If the work is not completed to our satisfaction, it will be your responsibility to have any faults put right and if this is not done, we reserve the right to make good the faults and charge you the cost.
• If at the end of the tenancy you wish to remove the improvement or alteration, the property must be re-instated to its former condition.
• We reserve the right, at the end of the tenancy, to insist that you be restore the property to its previous state. Should you fail to carry out this request, then we may complete the work and charge you the cost.
• If you move and leave the improvement or alteration in the property and we decide this is acceptable, then the improvement or alteration will become our property as will the future maintenance liability.

Our Housing Officers are always happy to give preliminary advice on its tenants’ responsibilities in relation to alterations and improvements.

We will not make a financial contribution to your own improvements and alterations, unless an agreement is made before work starts and compensation for improvements will only be paid when you finally move on.

It is therefore important that you keep any receipts for work done in a safe place as it may be several years before you can claim.

If you wish to be compensated for improvements that you make to your property you will need to check with your Housing Officer that certain criteria are met.

You will need to follow the guidelines as set out before we will give permission in writing for the work to start.

We will inspect the improvements when completed, and sometimes whilst they are in progress. When permission is given by us to start work we will inform you that compensation will only be paid when you move out and this may be deducted from any money that you may owe to us.

You will also be made aware that the final sum of compensation payable will not be the full amount you paid to the Contractor, as depreciation will be deducted.

You should also note that if your tenancy is ended through possession proceedings because you have broken the terms of your agreement, you may forfeit any compensation.

At the time of writing, compensation is limited to sums between £50 and £3,000. To calculate the compensation payable, the Association use the following formula:

C x (l-y/n)  where: C = cost  of  improvement  (excluding grants); N = notional life of improvement; Y= number of years completed (rounded up).

The Association may adjust the calculated payment for the following reasons:

• The cost of the improvement is excessive.
• The improvement is of a higher standard than Orwell would normally effect.
• The improvement has deteriorated faster than the notional life suggests.
• The improvement has deteriorated less than the notional life suggests.

We may consider compensation when you leave the property if you have improved any of the following: (This will work on case by case basis)

• Bath or shower
• Wash-hand basin
• Toilet
• Kitchen sink
• Storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen
• Work surfaces for food preparation 
• Space or water heating 
• Thermostatic radiator valves 
• Insulation of pipes, water tank or cylinder
• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Draught proofing of external doors or windows
• Double glazing or other external window replacement or secondary glazing
• Rewiring or the provision of power and lighting (including smoke detectors)
• Any object which improves the security of the property but excluding burglar alarms

• If the work on your property will affect the party wall with your neighbour or the boundary line between your homes, strict laws may apply.  Notice must be given to your neighbour and there must be agreement between you both before work starts.  It is very important that you do not carry out any work before asking for advice. 
• The work must be carried out to a high standard, using new materials.
• We strongly advise you to make sure you have a household insurance policy that covers this. 
• The work must be carried out according to the plans you have sent in, using new materials.  You must use a fully qualified tradesperson who has Public Liability insurance – we recommend cover of £5 million.
• You are responsible for any damage caused to Orwell’s property.
• If at any time it is found that the work has not been carried out to a satisfactory standard, it will be your responsibility to carry out any work required to rectify this. Should you fail to do this, Orwell Housing Association Limited reserves the right to carry out the work and recharge the cost to you. This will include observing any necessary planning regulations. 
• All future maintenance of the tenant improvement is your responsibility. 
• You may be entitled to claim compensation for this improvement if you give up your tenancy.  Should this occur, you should contact your housing office for advice.  
• It is recommended that you keep all receipts for work and materials to assist any compensation claim all compensation is limited to sums between £50 and £3,000. 

• All electrical work must comply with current IEE Regulations and be carried out by a company registered with a ‘Part P’ self-certification scheme.  A copy of the test certificate must be supplied to Orwell Housing.
• All copper pipes must meet BS2871, and fittings must meet BS864. All fittings that can be seen must be of the capillary type.