Alterations Policy

Alterations Policy for Tenants

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the rules and requirements regarding any alterations, decorations, or installations made by tenants during their tenancy. It ensures that all properties are maintained in good condition and that any changes are carried out responsibly and with proper authorisation.

2. Painting and Decoration

• • Tenants are not permitted to carry out any painting or decorative works within the first 12 months of the tenancy.
  • After the initial 12 months, any proposed decoration (including painting, wallpapering, or similar work) must receive prior written consent from the landlord or managing agent.
  • Only existing colours on the property are approved. Tenants are expected to match the current colour and use this to paint the property. Any colours used that are not like for like match, will be considered a breach under the alterations policy.  
  • All decoration works must be completed to a professional standard and in accordance with the approved specifications.
  • If unauthorised decoration occurs, the managing agent may require the tenant to reinstate the property to its original condition at the tenant’s expense within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Any painting or decoration done by the tenant that has caused the property to become degraded or cosmetically unappealing in any way, the tenant will be expected to restore the property to its original condition within a reasonable timeframe or pay an upfront fee for the managing agent/landlord to restore it.
  • For the purposes of this policy, a reasonable timeframe is anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks.

3. General Alterations

• • Tenants must not puncture or otherwise damage any walls, partitions, ceilings, floors, or timbers of the premises without the landlord’s prior written consent.
  • No structural or non-structural alterations, installations, or modifications may be made to the premises, fixtures, or fittings without such consent.
  • Consent, where granted, may include conditions that the tenant must meet at their own expense (e.g. using qualified tradespeople or restoring the property at the end of the tenancy).
  • To request any alterations, the tenant needs to fill out the alterations form which is available for download at the bottom of this page. They then need to complete the form and email it to maintenance@rentukproperty.com for an official alterations request. Please ensure to be as detailed as possible on the form.

4. Affixation of Items

• • Tenants must not place or exhibit any aerial, satellite dish, notice, advertisement, sign, or board on the exterior or interior of the premises without first obtaining the landlord’s written consent. Such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, but any approved works must be carried out at the tenant’s cost.
  • Tenants must make good any resultant damage from such installations or removals.
  • Tenants must not affix items to the walls—internally or externally—using glue, nails, picture hooks, sticky tape, or other adhesive substances without prior written consent from the landlord.
  • Any approved fixings must be removed and the property restored to its original condition at the end of the tenancy. This means filling in any holes made and restoring the walls to their original condition.

5. Breach of Alterations Policy

• • Any alterations made without written consent from the landlord or managing agent will be considered a breach of this policy.
  • Where a tenant cannot provide evidence of written consent for alterations, the managing agent reserves the right to:
    • • Recharge the total cost of restoring the property to its original condition to the tenant; or
      • Allow the tenant a period of 6–8 weeks to restore the property themselves to its original condition to the satisfaction of the managing agent.
  • Failure to comply may result in deductions from the tenancy deposit or further legal action to recover costs.
  • Any alterations made at the property whether approved or not approved the tenant must restore the property to its original condition before they vacate the property. If such alterations are not reverted, then this may result in deductions from the tenancy deposit or further legal action to recover costs.

6. Acknowledgement

There are contractual clauses in your tenancy agreement which cover Alterations to the property. This Policy is further clarification on the alterations and specifies the protocol required if a tenant requires any alterations.