Maintenance  

We work hard to make sure your homes are in a well-maintained condition, and we pay for all maintenance and investment work from funding generated from rental income and services charges. We call this the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  

We are focusing our maintenance and investment programme on our responsibilities and how we comply with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards and the Social Housing Act 2023.  This means our budget priorities are on keeping homes safe or to standard.  

We try to check the condition of your home at least every five years and these checks are called stock condition surveys.  These survey’s help us to identify if your home needs to be included in a future programme of works for renewals such as: 

• Kitchens 
• Bathrooms and wet rooms 
• Windows and doors 
• Boiler and heating systems 
• Roofing  

We are working towards making all of our homes compliant to the Government’s Decent Homes Standard, and you can find out more about this on their website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-decent-home-definition-and-guidance   

Home improvements 

You might want to make improvements to your council home, and we are happy for you to make minor changes without our permission like decorating, changing carpets or putting up shelves. 

For anything else this would need to be considered as an alteration and you will need to let us know what you want to do and receive written permission before you begin.  Otherwise, you will be liable for the costs of putting things right. 

Home alterations 

If you want to make alterations to your council home, you need to get permission from the Council first.  

Approval Criteria 

• Minor Alterations: Permission is usually granted if the request is for a reasonable minor alteration and the work will be done to a good standard. 
• Major Alterations: Requests for major and intrusive alterations will not be considered. 
• Electric vehicle charging points: In line with our recent review of Electric Vehicle Charging Options for Tenants it’s important to know that MKCC currently does not approve requests to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points at council homes. This decision is based on prioritising resources to ensure homes are safe and affordable to heat. Read more about electric vehicle charging options for tenants.

Apply for Permission 

1. Read the Introduction page on the online tenants alterations online form                   
2. If you believe you meet the approval criteria complete the online form with full details of your proposed changes. 
3. Your request will be reviewed as soon as possible, but please allow up to 20 working days for a response. 

Adaptations 

If you need to make adaptations to help you or someone who is disabled in your home, you might be eligible for equipment and adaptations from the Council.