Compensation for home improvements

If you’ve made certain improvements to your home, you might be able to claim compensation when your tenancy ends.

You may be entitled to money if:

• Your claim is for more than £50

• You didn’t buy the property through Right to Buy

• The work was done properly, by a qualified person (we’ll need to check it to make sure)

• You’re not passing the tenancy to someone else in your household

• You’re not starting a new tenancy at the same address

• Your tenancy didn’t end because of a Possession Order

• You have proof that we gave you permission to do the work

If the person who made the improvement doesn’t claim, these people may be able to:

• A joint tenant who shared the tenancy

• Someone who takes over the tenancy following the death of the resident who made the improvements

• Someone who would have qualified to succeed to the tenancy, if the improving resident had died

• A spouse, ex-spouse or cohabiting partner who got the tenancy through a court order after a relationship breakdown.

The claim must be made in writing within 28 days before and 14 days after the tenancy ends.

 

What can I claim for?

You may be able to claim for improvements such as:

• • Bath, shower, toilet or wash basin

  • Kitchen sink or worktops

  • Cupboards in the kitchen or bathroom

  • Heating systems or radiator valves

  • Pipe or tank insulation

  • Loft or wall insulation

  • Draught-proofing doors or windows

  • Double glazing or new windows

  • Rewiring or new electrical fittings (including smoke alarms)

  • Security upgrades (not including burglar alarms)

  • Any improvement that adds value to the home (if we agree it does)

Amount of compensation

We’ll look at how much the work cost and what it’s worth now. The most you can get is £3,000.

If you owe rent, we’ll take that amount off your payment.

If you have any questions related to claiming compensation for home improvements, please get in touch.