Maintaining and living in your home

How to maintain your home and what you need our permission for. Including information about living in a flat, sheltered housing and extra care schemes.

Being a good neighbour

People have different lifestyles. When you live alongside people or share a building, it is important to respect your neighbours.
Find out more about being a good neighbour

Decorating, improving and adapting your home

We want all customers to feel at home in their property and encourage them to decorate. But you may need our permission before you decorate, improve or adapt your home.
Find out more about decorating, improving and adapting your home

Gardens and garden sheds

Maintaining your garden and any garden sheds is part of your tenancy. You need our permission to get a shed or other outbuilding.
Find out more about gardens and garden sheds

Living in a flat, sheltered housing or extra care scheme

We have different types of flat across Sunderland. This information is for flats in buildings with communal entrances and hallways.
Find out more about living in a flat, sheltered housing or extra care scheme

Parking outside your home

You must not park any vehicle in any place or way that would endanger, damage or obstruct other people, vehicles or property. All vehicles must be taxed, insured and fit to drive.
Find out more about parking outside your home

Pets in your home

How many pets or the type of pets you can have depend on the type of property you rent from us.
Find out more about pets in your home

Taking in a lodger and subletting your home

You must not sublet your entire home, but you can ask for our permission to take in a lodger, sublet part of your home or have family members or friends move in.
Find out more about taking in a lodger and subletting your home