Application to make improvements to your home

Use this form to apply for permission to make improvements to your Bernicia home.

Please complete the below application form. This information will be reviewed, and we will provide you with a decision in writing.

It is important that you complete all relevant parts of the application form, and provide all information requested, including specifications, details of contractors who will undertake the work, any relevant permissions received, etc.

If you are given permission to carry out improvement works you must provide us with a schedule of works, and once the work is completed to arrange a post-inspection. You must provide us with any appropriate documents, we will ask for these to be provided at the time we grant permission.

If you change your mind and decide not to go ahead with the works, please also let us know so that we can cancel your application.

If you need to discuss this further, then please contact us or speak to your Housing Officer.

Your compensation is worked out on the basis of when your improvement was completed and how much use you have had from it.

Compensation will depend upon how old the improvement is when the claim is made.

An example is shown at the end of this leaflet.

If you received financial assistance (such as a grant) towards the costs, this will be taken off the cost of the improvement.

If you owe Bernicia any money, this may be deducted from the compensation.

Compensation may be reduced if the cost of the improvement was too much or the quality higher than if Bernicia had done the work.

You can get up to £3,000 for each improvement, but you will not get any compensation for an improvement worth less than £50 at the time of the claim.

You can ask Bernicia to reconsider the decision, if you feel that you have not received the correct compensation or your claim refused.

You should get advice from a solicitor or from your local Citizens Advice Bureau first.

Example calculation:

A tenant installs a bathroom suite costing £480. The life expectancy of the suite is 12 years. (The life expectancy is set by the Government). After 4 years the tenant moves out and claims compensation.

For each year the value of the work is discounted by £40 (£480 divided by 12 years)

After 4 years the value of the work is discounted by £160 (4 years multiplied by £40)

The tenant is entitled to £320 compensation (£480 cost of installation minus the discounted value of £160)

Qualifying repairs and their life expectancy in years
Qualifying repair Life expectancy (years)
Bath or shower 12
Wash-hand basin 12
Toilet 12
Kitchen sink 10
Storage cupboards in bathroom or kitchen 10
Work surfaces for preparing food 10
Space or water heating 12
Thermostatic radiator valves 7
Insulation of pipes, water tank or cylinder 10
Loft insulation 20
Cavity wall insulation 20
Draught proofing of external doors or windows 8
Double glazing or other window replacement or secondary glazing 20
Rewiring, or the provision of power or lighting or other electrical fittings, including smoke detectors 15
Security measures, excluding burglar alarms 10

Application to improve a Bernicia home

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Please tell us how the work will be completed. This should include details such as the materials that will be used and any drawings, plans or specifications where needed. Your builder or contractor should be able to provide this information. A detailed estimate may be enough in some cases.
Please provide full details of the person or company who will complete the work. The work must be carried out by someone who is suitably qualified and able to complete it safely and to a good standard. Please include their name, contact details, and registration details, where applicable. If you are unsure what information to include, please contact your Housing Officer before submitting your request.
If you are completing this work due to your physical health needs have you had an assessment by an Occupation Therapist?
If yes, please provide the report alongside your application, and indicate if you are applying for a grant to fund the work. If no, please consider if you need to ask a healthcare professional for a referral to an occupational therapist.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
If you answered yes to the previous question, please tell us whether you need support from us to manage your tenancy. Please also give the name of each tenant who needs support.

Name of tenant one

Name

Name of tenant two

Name

Name of tenant three

Name

Name of tenant four

Name

Name of tenant five

Name
Please upload any images or documents that show the improvements you want to make to your home. This will help us understand the work you are applying for.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Review and confirm before submission(Required)
Please confirm that the information provided in this form is accurate and correct.

Learn more about your Bernicia tenancy by viewing our tenancy policy.

View our tenancy policy

Home improvements

Find out what you need to do before making improvements or alterations to your Bernicia home, including when permission is required, how to apply and what happens after work is approved.

Find out more

Aids and adaptations

We aim to support those in your household who suffer from a health condition or have a disability and need an aid or an adaptation to live more comfortably.

Find out more

Repairs and maintenance

Find out how to report a repair, the different ways you can contact us and the timescales you can expect. You can also learn what happens after a repair is reported, how we will keep you updated, and which repairs and maintenance tasks are the responsibility of Bernicia or the tenant. Tell us what needs fixing (for emergency repairs call 0344 800 3800).

Find out more

Contact Us

Get in touch with Bernicia and find out where we are located.

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