Compensation for home improvements


Am I entitled to compensation for qualifying improvements?

At the end of your tenancy, if you have made qualifying improvements, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your costs if:

  • The claim is more than £50.
  • The property has not been purchased under Right to Buy.
  • The work has been done to an acceptable standard by a suitably qualified person (verified by inspection of the work by Regenda Homes).
  • Your tenancy isn’t being assigned to another member of your household.
  • You are not starting a new tenancy at the same property.
  • The tenancy hasn’t been ended by a Possession Order.
  • There is evidence that we gave permission for the work to be done.

If the resident who made the improvement does not claim compensation, then the following may be entitled to claim:

  • Anyone who has become a joint tenant with the resident who made the improvement.
  • A person succeeding to the tenancy due to the death of the resident who made the improvement.
  • Assignees who would have qualified to succeed to the tenancy, if the improving resident had died.
  • A spouse or former spouse, cohabitee to whom the tenancy was assigned or transferred by a court order following a relationship breakdown.

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


Qualifying improvements include the following items:

  • Bath or shower, wash hand basin or toilet.
  • Kitchen sink or work surfaces for food preparation.
  • Storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen.
  • Space or water heating, including thermostatic radiator valves.
  • Insulation to pipes, water tank or cylinder.
  • Loft or cavity wall insulation.
  • Draught proofing of external doors or windows.
  • Double glazing or other external window replacement or secondary glazing.
  • Rewiring or the provision of power and lighting or other electrical fittings (including smoke detectors).
  • Any object which improves the security of the dwelling (excluding burglar alarms).
  • Improvements that add value to the property (at Regenda’s discretion).


Amount of compensation

We will look at the cost and the current value of your improvements and assess the amount of compensation depending on the condition of the improvement when you submitted your claim. This is up to a maximum of £3,000. If you are in rent arrears, the arrears amount will be deducted from your compensation payment.