Compensation for improvements
You may be able to apply for compensation for improvements you’ve made to your home, if you later move out of the property. These steps must be followed:
- Before you start the work, we must receive 2 quotations in writing (in most instances, the lowest is the one used for calculation of compensation).
- You’ll need our permission in writing to go ahead with the work.
- You need claim for compensation 28 days before your tenancy ends or up to 14 days afterwards.
- The minimum compensation payment is £100 and maximum is £3,000.
- Compensation will not be paid if you purchase your home e.g. under the Right to Buy or if a Possession Order for the property has been made by a Court due to breach of tenancy.
- Compensation will only be paid for certain types of improvements and depending on how long ago the work was done (see the below chart).
| Type of improvement | Time limit from when the was the work done |
| New bath or shower | 12 years |
| New wash hand basin | 12 years |
| New toilet | 12 years |
| New kitchen sink | 10 years |
| New kitchen units | 10 years |
| New kitchen work surfaces for food preparation | 10 years |
| New heating and / or hot water system | 12 years |
| New thermostatic radiator valves | 7 years |
| Insulation of pipes, water tank or cylinder | 10 years |
| Loft insulation | 20 years |
| Cavity wall insulation | 20 years |
| Electric re-wiring / fittings, including mains operated smoke detectors | 15 years |
| Security improvements (not burglar alarms) | 10 years |
