Reclaiming improvement costs
If you made changes or improvements to your council home, you have a right to reclaim the cost of some improvements. You can apply for a refund when your tenancy ends (usually when you move house). You have up to 14 days after your tenancy ends to make a claim and will not be able to claim if you are buying your home through the Right to Buy scheme.
Keep receipts for all the work that is carried out. You will need these to claim compensation for improvements. You cannot get compensation if you did not get permission for your works.
Improvements you can claim for:
- baths, showers, hand-wash basins and toilets
- kitchen sinks and work surfaces for preparing food
- storage cupboards in a bathroom or kitchen
- central heating, hot water boilers and other types of heating
- thermostatic radiator valves, pipes, water and cylinder insulation
- loft and cavity wall insulation and draught-proofing of external doors and windows
- double-glazing or other window replacements or secondary glazing
- rewiring, or the provision of power and lighting or other electrical fittings including smoke detectors
- security measures, excluding burglar alarms.
What compensation covers
If you are claiming the cost of improvements, you can claim for the cost of materials (not including appliances such as cookers and fridges), and labour costs (but not your own).
How much you can claim
You can claim for any single improvement that costs between £50 and £3,000. The amount of compensation will depend on:
- the condition of the improvement when you claim - Older improvements are worth less. If you received a grant to help with the cost, this will be deducted
- whether you owe us any rent money.
Find out more
To find out how to apply, email your area's senior neighbourhood officer:
- Northteam@slough.gov.uk for the Britwell and Manor Park areas
- Eastteam@slough.gov.uk for the Langley, Wexham and Colnbrook areas
- Southteam@slough.gov.uk for the Chalvey, Cippenham and Priory areas.