General maintenance, DIY, redecoration, and improvements to your home: when to get approval first

• Painting walls, woodwork*
• Wallpapering
• Minor additional fittings to walls such as towel rails
• Attaching things to the walls for safety (e.g. large free-standing wardrobes, large cabinets)
• Putting up pictures and mirrors
• Replacing door handles, light pulls etc.
• Replacing toilet seats
• Adding bath panels

In all cases, minor improvements and fittings should be done competently and safely without causing any damage to the property.

*Although you are free to redecorate as often as you like, if you are intending to claim reimbursement for the costs of paint etc. from the redecoration grant (usually available every 7 years) then you must get approval from Maintenance subgroup in advance.

• Putting up shelves.
• Adding built-in cupboards.
• Updating bathroom or kitchen taps (may need approving/checking to avoid potential leaks).
• Changes to outside space such as adding a deck, raised bed, or replacing/removing a fence.

More often than not, this type of work will be approved, but it’s worth checking first.

• Changing to flooring, including removing carpets. There are rules about what type of flooring is allowed because of noise issues.
• Any changes to plumbing, electrics, wiring etc.
• Any changes to kitchen base and wall cabinets or the kitchen worktop.
• Any changes to bathroom suite (sinks, baths, showers etc).
• Replacing/changing windows or doors
• Adding working fires (e.g., wood burning stoves, gas fires).
• Any adaptations intended to make cellars or loft spaces into ‘living/work spaces’.
• Knocking down walls or parts of walls and changing the internal layout of the property.
• Extending the property in any way (e.g., adding a conservatory/lean to)

If changes such as these are made without seeking approval first, and what you have done contravenes any rules, damages the building, or is poor quality, the co-op will seek reimbursement from you for the costs of making good/reversing the work.