This page gives you more information on the types of changes you can make to your home and how to seek permission to make changes, where needed. It also gives you information on how we can help with any aids and adaptions you may need making to your home to help you to live independently when disability or mobility issues may make this more difficult. 

DIY and changes to your home - am I allowed to make changes to my home?

You are welcome to decorate and make small changes to your home, like laying a floor covering such as carpet. You do not need permission to install:

• Washing machines
• Cookers
• Water meters
• TV aerials
• Satellite dishes (under 60cm in diameter) which will not be fixed to walls
• Garden fencing (not on the boundary and not over 1.8 metres in height)
• A wooden shed or greenhouse in the back garden (within the boundary of the garden, not obstructing access to fencing and maximum 2.5 metres by 2 metres)
• A cat flap to the rear external door of a house which is fitted by a professional. (Cat flaps are not permitted in front doors or flats.)
• Internal doors.

For some work, you will need our permission before you start. Examples include:

• Changing the design or layout of your kitchen or bathroom
• Garden and driveway works, such as installing decking and dropped kerbs
• Installing items to the outside of your home. (If your external walls are insulated, you cannot fix anything onto the insulation as this will cause permanent damage.)
• Building large structures or any large building works to the property.

Apply online for permission to make changes to your home. We will reply to your request for permission within 28 days. Please make sure you provide as much detail as possible and include any relevant paperwork.

We will not give permission to make changes to your home if you:

• you are in rent or service charge arrears
• you are in breach of your tenancy agreement or lease
• you have lived in your home for less than 12 months.

Larger projects like extensions, changing the layout of your home by removing or adding walls and adding conservatories are not permitted in our rented homes.

Aids and adaptions

We recognise that sometimes disabilities or health conditions that restrict mobility can mean that you need some aids fitting or adaptions making to your home to help you to continue to live independently.

We work with local authorities to ensure you get the aids and adaptions you need. These can range from access ramps and grab rails to level access showers, stair-lifts or through-floor lifts.

If you require aids or adaptions to enable you or a member of your family to live independently, you will need to speak to the Occupational Therapy team at your local council to be assessed for the most appropriate equipment. Once we receive the referral from them we will work with you to get the works done.

Minor aids and adaptions will be funded and carried out by CKH. More extensive equipment will be funded by the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) from your local authority. We will service and maintain your aids and adaptations as required.

If you, or your family member, requires aids or adaptions to your home:

Complete the enquiry form and we will be in touch with you within two working days to discuss your needs. You will need to have a referral from the Occupational Therapy team at your local council before you apply to us for an aid or adaption. If you have this to hand, please upload this when you complete the form.

Please note: if you are under-occupying your home, we will discuss your options to move to a more appropriate home. We may refuse to grant permission for works funded by the DFG if you are under occupying or if you are currently in breach of your tenancy.

Enquire about aids and adaptions