Home improvements and decorating your home
Customers have the right to improve their home but they must first get our permission in writing if they want to. While we won't unreasonably refuse permission for improvements or changes, we may impose conditions.
If permission is given, customers must ensure they get any planning permission, building regulations approval or any other permission needed before they start work. If permission is refused, we will write and explain why.
Customers wishing to make improvements must complete the relevant Home Improvement Application Form, available online, at a service access point or through us. Help or support to complete an application form will be provided on request.
Applications from customers for the following permissions will not be granted:
Bio Ethanol fires, biomass, solid fuel, or log burning stoves
These appliances can pose a risk to customers’ health and safety, property and environment.
Cat flap to an external composite door
This would invalidate the Secure by Design Certificate and voids the manufacturer’s warranty.
Painting or wrapping of kitchen units and worktops
These are not designed to be painted and could reduce the lifespan. Wrapping could also damage the components when removed.
Focal point electric fires
These have a negative impact on the EPC rating which would be a contributing factor in the ability to achieve band C EPC.
Loft space (living accommodation, storage space or any other reason)
The use of loft space as living accommodation is not allowable as set out in the Tenancy Agreement, whilst the use of loft space for storage or any other reason could pose a health and safety risk, or compromise the performance of any loft insulation present.
Tenant Home improvement application form
Leaseholder / Shared Owner Home improvement application form
Right to compensation for improvements claim form
Application Form to erect a satellite dish
Home improvements FAQs
A ‘vehicle crossing’ or ‘dropped kerb’ is a section of kerb lowered
to provide vehicle access to a property.
If you'd like to drive over a pavement or grass verge to access your driveway, you will need to apply for permission. Find out more in our guidance sheet.
If you have bought or are thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV), then you may want a charging point at home (EV charger).
Read our guide to see how you can apply for permission to install an EV charger at your home.
This information is for guidance only and does not give a legal interpretation or a summary of all the rules, which apply to the scheme.
Which tenancies qualify?
- Assured Tenancy
- Assured Non-Shorthold Tenancy
Which tenancies do not qualify?
- Assured Shorthold (Starter) Tenancy
Do I qualify?
Yes, if:
- The work was carried out after 1 April 1994.
- The claim is made during the four weeks period of notice or within 14 days of your tenancy ending.
- You paid for the work yourself.
- You have taken over the tenancy from the person who did pay for the work, such as a partner or parent. If you are not sure, contact a member of the Vico Homes Survey Team by phoning 01977 788248 or 0345 8 507 507, or you can write to Vico Homes Survey Team, Merefield House, Whistler Drive, Castleford, WF10 5HX.
- You can provide the original receipts for the cost of the work carried out to justify your claim.
- You received written permission to carry out the work from Vico Homes or your local authority.
No, if:
- Your tenancy is ending because of a breach of your tenancy agreement.
- The work was done before 1 April 1994.
- Your claim was made more than 14 days after your tenancy ended.
- You cannot provide the original receipts for the cost of the work carried out.
- You do not have written permission for the work carried out from Vico Homes or your local authority.
- You have purchased your home under the Right to Buy, or Right to Acquire schemes.
- Your claim for compensation amounts to less than £50.
- We have already paid compensation for the improvements.
What can I claim for?
- The costs you have paid out for material and labour.
Note: The maximum compensation we will pay for any improvements done to the property is £3,000 and the minimum is £50. Under the scheme we cannot pay any compensation if the amount falls under £50 for any claim.
What can’t I claim for?
- Your own labour, if you carried out any of the work yourself.
- Appliances such as built-in cookers, hobs and ovens and fridges and so on.
- Professional fees you may have incurred from architects, the drawing up of plans, or planning application fees.
What improvements can I claim for?
The following list gives the qualifying improvements set out under the scheme. Each improvement has been allocated a ‘notional life’, this means the useful lifespan of the improvement before it would need to be renewed or upgraded. This is used to work out the amount of compensation we would pay.
| Qualifying improvement | Notional life (years) |
|---|---|
| Bath or shower | 12 |
| Wash-hand basin | 12 |
| Toilet | 12 |
| Kitchen sink | 10 |
| Storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen | 10 |
| Work surfaces for food preparation (worktops) | 10 |
| Space or water heating | 12 |
| Thermostatic radiator valves | 7 |
| Insulation of pipes, water tank or cylinder | 10 |
| Loft insulation | 20 |
| Cavity wall insulation | 20 |
| Draught proofing of external doors or windows | 8 |
| Double glazing or other external window replacement or secondary glazing | 20 |
| Rewiring or the provision of power and lighting or other electrical fittings (including smoke detectors) | 15 |
| Any object, which improves the security of the dwelling house, but not including burglar alarms | 10 |
How do you calculate how much compensation will be paid?
We consider certain facts about the original cost of the improvements. The assessment will include someone from Vico Homes visiting your home to inspect the improvements.
We'll be checking:
- Whether or not the cost of the improvement was excessive.
- The quality of the improvement meets the Vico Homes approved standard.
- The current condition of the improvement.
- Whether the improvement has deteriorated less or more than provided for in the notional life for that improvement.
- The improvement was installed in accordance with any regulations or standards, such as electrical regulations.
Following this inspection the original cost of the improvements submitted will be worked out with the findings. We'll deduct any grants you may have received towards the cost of the improvements or alterations.
The compensation payable is shown as a fraction of the initial costs of the improvement divided by the notional life allocated to the improvement, multiplied by the number of useful years left since the date you completed the work.
For example - If your improvement costs £2,000, excluding appliances, the notional life is 10 years and your tenancy ends six years after you installed it. There would be four years left of what is expected as being the useful life of the improvement.
Compensation would be £800 (£2,000 divided by 10 = £200 x 4 = £800).
We'll offset any compensation payable to you against any debt you may owe Vico Homes, such as rent arrears. Any amount of compensation awarded is subject to the improvement or alteration being left in the condition they were in when the surveyor visited your home.
Where should I send my completed claim form?
Once you have completed the Right to Compensation for Improvements claim form, send it to the Survey Team, remember to attach the original receipts so we can process it straight away.
Your claim will be acknowledged within 10 days of the Survey Team receiving it. Whatever the outcome of your claim, you'll receive a letter explaining how we arrived at the final decision or amount of compensation payable to you.
Do I have the right to appeal against the outcome of my claim?
Yes. You should appeal to the survey manager within 28 days of receiving your letter.
Your appeal should state why you think the decision is wrong.
The survey manager will evaluate your claim to ensure the procedures have been followed and the calculation has been carried out correctly.
You'll be contacted by letter to explain what the outcome of your appeal is.
The survey manager will either make a revised offer of compensation or confirm the original decision.
Getting a water meter could save you over £100 a year.
You can decide to pay for water you use through a meter instead of paying for it with your rent, as you may do now. Depending on how much water you use, you could save money by paying for your water by direct debit.
Water providers may change their policy on charging and metering, you will have to keep to these changes. If you use a lot of water, you could end up paying more.
You can pay for your water along with your rent and use as much water as you like. When you have to pay for all the water you use with a meter, you may feel you have to use less.
If you choose to have a meter installed, you can switch back to your previous method of charging within the first 24 months, but they will not remove the meter. (You may not be able to switch back to unmetered charges if you live in an area of water stress, where the Government has allowed compulsory metering as part of a plan to maintain secure water supplies.)
How do I get a water meter fitted?
You don't need our permission to install a water meter, but the installation is subject to a survey by your water provider.
Simply call your local water supplier to request a water meter. Alternatively, you can apply on your supplier's website.
What if I need advice?
If you need advice about having a water meter fitted or anything else to do with water meters, you can:
• Phone your provider’s helpline
• Call us on 0345 8 507 507
• If you visit any of our Hubs, our colleagues can give you further advice about water meters and help with contacting your provider
I'm on a low income and I need to use a lot of water. What help is available if my bill goes up when I go onto a meter?
Your water provider can provide you with the latest information on water meters if you're receiving benefits or tax credits. Every company offers the ‘WaterSure’ tariff. WaterSure is the name given to the vulnerable groups tariff, introduced in England by Government regulations in April 2000. This tariff caps the bill, at the average household bill for their area, for certain metered household customers.
WaterSure applies to metered customers who receive specified benefits and:
• have three or more dependant children living with them; or
• suffer from (or have someone living with them who suffers from) a medical condition that involves using a lot of water.
If you think you may be eligible, contact your provider for more information on how to apply.
There are various other schemes available that could help if you're finding it hard to pay your bill or are in arrears. If you don't get benefits but have a low income, you might qualify for the WaterSupport scheme, if your annual water bill is more than £350. If you receive a deductible income-based benefit, we can take payments directly from your benefits. Less hassle, less worry!
Call your water provider to apply.
What if I experience problems with my water supply?
If you can see your water meter, you need to tell your water provider if the meter is moving when you are not using any water. They can advise you how to check for underground leaks or problems with your household plumbing. If your bill is high and you suspect it is because you have a leak on your home, you should report it to the provider.
• If you have any problems with your water supply, you can contact OFWAT (the regulator for water services) on 0121 644 7500.
• If you want to complain, contact the company that provides your water.
• Advice is available from your water provider and OFWAT.
Getting a water meter could save you over £100 a year.
Yorkshire Water have a helpful calculator to help you decide if a water meter is right for you.
If you can’t get a water meter, you can ask for a bill assessment. This is a much more accurate assessment based on the number of people in your house and your water usage habits. Again, if your bill is projected to go up, you can stay on your current billing system.
You may also be able to get free water saving gadgets - just give your water provider a call or complete their online form.