DIY
Asking permission
The exterior of the residence
Ownership
Maintenance
Take it with you or leave it behind?
Recompense
Do you want a different kitchen unit? A bath in the bathroom? Or maybe a raised bed, to create a bit more room? And what about if you move house, do you have to put everything back to how it used to be?
You never used to be allowed to change much in rented accommodation and the rule of ‘leave it as you found it’ always applied. However, new legislation introduced in August 2003 changed all of that.
Conditions
You are now allowed to make alterations and improvements to your residence, but there are some rules that you need to be aware of. The relevant conditions can be found in the ‘Alterations and Maintenance’ brochure. This brochure also contains all the information you need regarding what you are allowed to alter, and what not. If the cost of reversing alterations or improvements when you move house will be negligible, you do not need to ask DUWO for permission. Curtain rails are a good example of such an improvement.
Asking permission
If the alterations are expensive to reverse, you are obliged to ask DUWO for permission in writing. Don’t hesitate to visit us to discuss your plans. Once you have let us know what you are planning, we will inform you in writing of the conditions under which we give our approval within two months. We may even be able to offer you advice as how best to proceed. In the majority of cases, you will not have to reverse the alterations or improvements when the rental agreement ends. In general, DUWO approves the proposed alterations if:
- they do not affect the further rental of the residence
- they will not result in the property losing value
- they will not cause any lasting damage to the residence
- they satisfy any applicable (legal) regulations put in place by the relevant authorities
The addition or alteration will have to be reversed in two situations:
- if it is stated when DUWO gives its approval that the alterations must be reversed when the rental agreement ends. This can even be enforced by law.
- if the alterations have not been carried out soundly and have caused maintenance or technical problems.
The exterior of the residence
Permission is always required for alterations to the exterior of the residence. However, it is difficult to obtain permission for alterations to the exterior of the building as this is not permitted in the relevant regulations.
Ownership
Who owns that new bath or those splendid floor tiles when all is said and done? Every new element that cannot be removed easily and without trace will be seen as part of the residence, and DUWO will therefore be considered as the owner.
Maintenance
Although DUWO is considered owner of the new elements in the residence, we are not responsible for the maintenance of the new additions as they were not included in the residence as it was offered by DUWO. You are therefore responsible for the maintenance and repair of the new additions as well as for any resulting damage. This means that you are also responsible for insurance and any related taxes and liabilities. It is recommended that you reach clear agreements with DUWO regarding all of these factors.
Take it with you or leave it behind?
You are granted up to the end of the rental period to reverse any alterations you may have made and you should return the room in at least the same state as it was when you moved in. The residence must therefore be completely free of permanent damage and there cannot be any reduction in the rentability of the residence. Alternatively, you can decide to leave any additions behind, as DUWO did after all permit you to carry out the alterations. There is also the chance that you may be eligible for recompense.
Recompense
If you have made alterations to your residence after obtaining prior permission from DUWO and following the applicable conditions, DUWO will assume ownership of any furnishings when you move out. It is not permitted for you to sell the new elements you introduced to the next resident. However, you may be eligible for recompense. Whether you are eligible for recompense and the amount you receive is dependent on a number of factors, including the following:
- the type of furnishing or alteration
- the age of the furnishing (when were the alterations made?)
- the quality of the furnishings (added value for the residence)
DUWO has introduced a standard for the most common alterations, which means that a standard amount is fixed for a certain type of improvement. You will therefore not receive recompense for the actual amounts that you spent. You will receive any recompense that you may be entitled to when you leave the residence, as you can personally profit from the improvements you have made all the time you live there. You can find a summary of the most common improvements in the Alterations and Maintenance brochure in the DUWO Guide.