Homeowner Improvements
Improvements are work that has added market value to your home. This is not to be confused with how sellable the works make your home.
What to keep in mind
This section applies to Shared Owners and Leaseholders only
Improvements are work that may change the amount your home needs to be insured for (by bpha) or that has added market value to your home. This is not to be confused with how sellable the works make your home.
You must have received written consent from bpha to carry out the works in accordance with your lease and you may be asked to supply evidence of consent along with receipts and certificates for the work that has been carried out. You need written consent from bpha to carry out the works in accordance with your lease. If you did not obtain consent at the time you can request this retrospectively however, permission is not guaranteed. Please also be aware that improvements such as an extension will increase the rebuild cost of your property so if permission is not sought, your risk your property not being fully insured in the event of a total loss; for example after a fire.
You cannot obtain retrospective consent for works carried out by any previous owners.
Works must be undertaken by qualified persons. bpha will need to see certificates of completion, such as gas safety checks, Fensa certificate, planning permission and building regulations. You may also be required to provide receipts for the work carried out.
What qualifies as an improvement?
- Installation of double-glazed windows/doors (if there was no double glazing before)
- Installation of central heating (if there was no central heating before)
- New fitted kitchen
- New bathroom suite
- Addition of a conservatory
- Extension
- Loft conversion
- Addition of a porch
- Addition of a new garage/car port
- Addition of a new driveway and dropped kerb
- Cavity wall insulation
- Solar panel installation
- Conversion of garage into living space
- Installation of electric car charging point
- Installation of outbuilding to use as living space / office
- Adding additional bedroom
What work is regarded as repairs and maintenance and will not be taken into consideration when valuing your home?
The following work is regarded as repairs and maintenance and will not be taken into consideration when valuing your home:
- Redecoration
- Fitted wardrobes
- New fence
- New patio/decking
- Garden landscaping
- Garden structures (e.g. summer houses, sheds)*
- Replacement central heating boiler
- Rewiring or re-plumbing
- Replacement windows
- Rendering or texturing to the exterior of the property
- Repairing damage or wear and tear to the property
- Floor coverings (e.g. new carpets, laminate, or wooden flooring
*bpha still needs to know about summer houses or sheds as they can affect the amount we have to insure your home for.
Important information
Failure to meet these conditions may result in permission being withheld or withdrawn and you may be served a notice to put the property back to its original state at your own cost.
