Homeowner home improvements and alterations
If you own your home through L&Q, you may be able to make improvements – but the rules depend on the type of home you own. This page explains what you can and can’t do, how to apply, and what to expect.
Improvements you can make without permission
You don’t need our permission for the following, unless your lease or transfer agreement says otherwise:
- General decorating , including painting or boxing in pipework
- Installing shelves, curtain poles or wall-mounted TVs
- Inserting or removing non-structural fitted wardrobes or cabinets
- Replacing carpets or flooring like-for-like
- Swapping interior lights, including down lights and light fittings (switchers and dimmers)
- Gardening and planting (excluding patios, decking, outside taps, lighting, pipework or garden buildings such as sheds, outhouses, garages and summer houses)
Important: You can’t carry out improvements during the new-build warranty period. Some improvements may also need planning permission or meet other legal requirements.
Leaseholders
You’ll need our written permission for minor and major alterations.
Shared owners
You'll need our written permission for some alterations until you own 100% of your home.
To make major alterations, you must own at least 50% of your home. If you own less than half of your home, you may need to buy more shares (staircase) before applying.
After purchasing the minimum share of 50%, each request is assessed on the individual terms of the lease/head lease.
Freeholders on an L&Q estate
You may need our permission to carry out major home improvements if restrictions apply.
Equity shareholders where we do not own the freehold of your home
You do not need our permission to carry out home improvements. However, you may need the freeholder’s approval if your home is owned on a leasehold basis.
You’ll need to make your own enquiries about any approvals you may need as we’ll not be involved.
Minor home improvements
Minor works are small, non-structural changes you might want to make to your home.
These do not require changes to your lease plan, lease or transfer agreement, but you still need our written consent before starting.
Common examples include:
- replacing a kitchen
- replacing a bathroom
- changing flooring that is not like-for-like
- replacing a boiler
How to apply for minor home improvements
There are six steps to follow:
- Step one: Send us your request
You’ll need to send us a completed Home Improvement application form (PDF) along with a copy of your lease or transfer agreement
- Step two: We review your documents
We’ll check your lease or transfer agreement to confirm whether the works are allowed.
If your agreement does not permit the changes, we’ll let you know in writing and explain why.
- Step three: Provide supporting information
If your lease allows the works, we’ll email you asking for extra details such as:
- quotes for the works
- indemnity insurance details
- layout plans or photos
- proposed installation details
We’ll also explain how to pay our administration fee.
- Step four: Pay our admin fee
You’ll need to pay by card over the phone on 0208 189 7465 (option 2, then option 1).
Please note: admin fees are non-refundable.
- Step five: Get our consentOnce we have your payment and supporting documents, we’ll send you written consent to proceed with your works.
- Step six: Send us completion evidence
Within 12 weeks of finishing the work, please send us:
- photos of the completed improvements
- any required certificates (like gas or electrical safety)
If you’re a shared owner
Keep all receipts, invoices, guarantees and certificates in a safe place. You may need them if you decide to sell or staircase in the future.
Major home improvements
Major works are bigger changes to your home that affect its structure. Because these can impact your lease and the wider building, they require a more formal process and extra checks before you start.
Examples of major works include:
- building an extension or conservatory
- converting a loft
- installing or removing internal walls
- reconfiguring your property layout
How to apply for major home improvements
There are seven steps to follow:
- Step one: Send us your request
You’ll need to send us a completed Home Improvement application form (PDF) along with a copy of your lease or transfer agreement
- Step two: We review your documents
We’ll check your lease or transfer agreement to confirm whether the works are allowed.
If your agreement does not permit the changes or you’re a shared owner who owns less than 50% of your home, we’ll decline your request in writing and explain why.
- Step three: Get an independent surveyor report
If your lease allows the works, we’ll email you asking you to instruct an independent chartered surveyor to carry out a pre-completion survey.
This report confirms whether the works are suitable, won’t damage the building, and whether consent should be given.
We can provide details of two independent surveyors if you’d like to use them.
- Step four: We review your surveyor’s report
Once we’ve reviewed your surveyor’s pre-completion report, we’ll let you know the outcome.
If the report does not recommend that consent should be given to carry out home improvements, we’ll decline your request in writing and explain why.
If consent can be given, we’ll ask you to pay our administration fee and provide your solicitor’s details.
In some cases, certain documents may be required to make sure the changes made to your home are compliant with the law, such as:
- a Deed of Variation (a legal update to your lease)
- a Deed of surrender and regrant
- a new lease plan
- a Licence for Works
Our solicitor will liaise with yours directly about the fees you’ll need to pay if any of these documents are needed.
- Step five: Pay our admin fee
You’ll need to pay by card over the phone on 0208 189 7465 (option 2, then option 1).
Please note: admin fees are non-refundable.
- Step six: Solicitors carry out legal processes
Once we have your payment and supporting documents, we’ll instruct our solicitor, and they’ll speak to your solicitor.
Our solicitor may request extra documents such as planning permission, architect’s drawings, party wall agreements or insurance details.
The required legal documents will be drafted, reviewed and signed by an authorised L&Q signatory. This can take up to five working days.
You must wait until you have our written consent before starting work.
- Step seven: Send us completion evidence
Once approved, you can go ahead with your improvements.
Within 20 weeks of completion, you’ll need to send us:
- photos of the completed works
- certificates (for example, gas/electrical safety)
- Building Control sign-off (if relevant)
- a post-completion survey from an independent chartered surveyor
We have a panel of independent surveyors you can use, but the cost is your responsibility.
Important: If works have not been completed to standard, pre-approved plans, we will need to take legal action.
If you’re a shared owner
Keep all receipts, invoices, guarantees and certificates in a safe place. You may need them if you decide to sell or staircase in the future.
Retrospective consent
You must always apply for consent before starting work.
If you carry out work without permission and your lease does not allow it, we'll require you to return your home to its original condition at your own cost. In serious cases, we'll also take legal action.
If you're staircasing without prior consent for works where consent is required, this may impact the premium payable. Any home improvements that have increased the value of your home will not be reflected as a benefit to you in the valuation.
Help and support
For support with your application or questions about what’s allowed, please message our Homeownership team.
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