Help guides

What changes can I make to my home?

2 min read

As a homeowner, you can redecorate the inside of your home and make repairs as you need to. You don't need to tell us about them. You can do things like:

  • Paint and decorate the inside of your home

  • Fit wardrobes or shelves

  • Fit burglar bars or security systems

  • Replace light fittings and taps

  • Install cat flaps (only on wooden rear doors on houses)

For other things, you'll need to get our permission before you start work. You'll need permission if you want to:

  • Change anything with the electrical or gas systems

  • Install a new bathroom or kitchen

  • Install a shower

  • Change the structure of the walls inside your home

  • Extend your home in any way

  • Put a shed or other structure in your garden

Fees apply for leasehold alteration applications.

You'll also need to meet our requirements and use qualified tradespeople. We have these requirements to protect everyone, because changes you make to your home could affect your neighbours.

Your lease might have other requirements, too. Here are the ones that apply to all homeowners who make alterations. You must:

  • Get planning permission from your local council if you need it

  • Tell your local council's building control department about any relevant work and comply with their requirements

  • Use competent, professional people who have liability insurance

  • Have all gas and electrical work done by registered tradespeople

  • Be considerate to your neighbours in how you do the work

  • Make good any damage caused by your work to any shared areas or neighbouring homes

  • Tell your mortgage lender what you're doing if they need to know

You must send us copies of:

  • Any consent and conditions from any superior landlord

  • Any local authority planning permission and/or local building control requirements and conditions

  • Any completion certificates or certificates to show that work has been done by registered contractors

At the end, you'll need to send us a letter to confirm that you've finished the alterations and met these requirements.

To discuss changes you want to make, email leasehold@a2dominion.co.uk.

For further information please see our Improvements & Alterations guide.

Also, please see our policy on making changes to your home

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