Making home improvements
Feel free to make your home yours. And while most changes don't need approval, we're here to help with the ones that do.
Your Co-Ownership home is your home, and you’re free to make it feel right for you. In most cases, you can carry out everyday improvements without needing our permission. There are only a few situations where you’ll need to contact us before starting work.
When you first move into your home, it should already meet your needs and major upgrades should not be required straight away. However, we understand that needs and preferences change over time and you may want to make updates that better suit your taste and lifestyle.
Improvements you can make without contacting us
You do not need to contact Co-Ownership for non-structural improvements, such as:
- decorating and redecorating
- replacing windows or doors
- installing new flooring
- updating heating systems or electrics
These types of improvements are your responsibility, including all costs and ongoing maintenance.
When you do need to contact us
You must contact Co-Ownership before making any structural changes to your home.
This includes:
- building an extension
- converting a loft or garage
- adding a conservatory
- building a garage or outbuilding
- removing internal walls
These changes affect the structure and value of your home, so we need to review and approve them before you start.
Examples of instances when you don’t need to contact Co-Ownership, versus when you should, are included below:
| No need to contact us for: | Contact us if you are: |
|---|---|
| Plumbing and electrical maintenance and upgrading | Installing a wood burner or multi fuel stove |
| Solid fuel, oil and gas central heating system maintenance and replacement (including replacement of boiler or radiators) | Converting from Economy 7 heating system to gas, from oil to gas central heating, from oil to a more efficient oil heating system, or if you're installing a renewable energy heating system such as a heat pump. |
| Roof repairs (replacing damaged or missing slates or tiles, or repointing mortar at eaves) Repairing or replacing defective chimney flashing, or replacing a chimney pot | Constructing a garage |
| Repointing brickwork or repairing defective render | Converting the loft into a habitable accommodation |
| Painting and decorating internally or externally | Adding a home extension which increases the habitable accommodation (such as an additional bedroom, sunroom, conservatory or porch) |
| Replacing damaged doors, door frames, locks or door hinges | Installing a new kitchen or bathroom, which involves knocking down walls or changing layouts |
| Replacing defective or damaged glass in windows, window catches, locks and hinges or rotted frames | Adding solar panels or a renewable energy source that you own outright |
| Overhauling rainwater goods, guttering, drains and gullies | |
| Overhauling or replacing fascia or soffits | |
| Changing or replacing floor coverings | |
| General maintenance, upkeep or landscaping of external areas |
This list is not exhaustive and if you require any further clarification please contact us.
How improvements affect your home's value
If you decide to increase your share or sell your home in the future, we will take improvements into account fairly. Unlike a standard market valuation from an estate agent, Co-Ownership carries out a buy-out valuation. This means your home is valued at today's market price but assessed to the same standard as when you bought it. Any value you've added through approved improvements is excluded from Co-Ownership's share - that value stays with you.
For example:
| Market valuation | £145,000 |
|---|---|
| Value added by installing a new kitchen | £3,000 |
| Co-Own buy-out valuation | £142,000 |
Keep in mind that what you spend isn't always what you gain in value. A £7,000 kitchen might add £3,000 to your home's worth. That's worth thinking about before you start any major work, and speak to an estate agent if you’d like to know more about what adds value in your local area.
Making improvements won't change your monthly rent amount.
Things to keep in mind
Before you begin making updates or changes to your home, make sure you're clear on a few key points:
- you're responsible for all costs, including getting any permissions you need and ensuring work is guaranteed
- planning permission or building control approval may be required separately - even after we've given our approval to go ahead
- use qualified tradespeople and make sure improvements are done to a good standard
If you’re not sure if your project needs our approval, get in touch before you start. We're here to help you make confident decisions about your home.