Changes to your home

Our alterations and improvements policy can be found here.

You need our written permission before you:

• attach any camera, equipment or external lighting
• carry out or allow any alteration or addition to the property, including in-garden parking or vehicle access
• remove or modify any of our fixtures or fittings in the property
• remove or add any trees, hedges, walls, earth banks or fencing
• add a conservatory or a shed.

If we give you approval to make alterations you must:

• make sure the work is carried out to a good standard of workmanship
• the works are well maintained
• put the property back to its original condition if you undo the work or your tenancy ends.

 If you carry out alterations without our permission, or the work is sub-standard:

• we will require you to put the property back to its original condition at your expense
• we will carry out the work and charge you for it.

If you or a member of your family is having difficulty managing at home because of a medical condition or disability, please contact the AHA Manager about the possibility of adaptions being made to your home.

Where practical we will normally allow alterations to take place, but the cost of carrying out the work and the cost of any maintenance is to be met by the tenant, or the supporting service.

Please consult with either HSC, your own Occupational Therapist, or Social Security to discuss your requirements and methods of funding the alterations.

When you leave your home it must be returned to its original condition at your own cost unless it is of benefit to a new tenant.

It may not be practical to alter the property you are in. We may look to transfer you to another property already altered or one that can be more easily adapted.

Yes. The only flooring that is not permitted is wooden flooring in a flat as this can be noisy. You can paint the walls in your home but only in neutral colours. Wallpaper is not permitted.

I have a shower but would need a bath due to health reasons. What can I do?

You will need to discuss this with your GP. If the GP deemed it a requirement, then a report would be sent by the GP to the Occupational Therapist (OT). The OT would visit your property to carry out an inspection. If the OT agrees that the adaptations are needed, then they will liaise with Social Security to try to secure funding.

I have a shower but would really like a bath as a personal preference. What can I do?

You can ask AHA’s permission to carry out these works at your own expense. If permission is granted, all works must be carried out by a qualified professional. Works will be inspected by the Maintenance Inspector to make sure they comply with AHA’s requirements.

However if your tenancy ends, you may have to return the bathroom back to its original state, again at your own expense.

Yes you can buy a shed but this would be at your own expense. Please consult the States Planning website to find out what size shed is permitted without requiring planning approval.

Please ask permission from the AHA Manager concerning the size and position of the shed.

When you leave your home you will need to remove the shed or discuss with the AHA Manager if the future tenant will take it on.

If your home was supplied with a shed, then it is your responsibility to look after it. The AHA will not repair or replace it.