Making changes to your home

Before undertaking any changes to the apartment you should consider the following:

Restrictions within the lease

Residents should always ensure that any proposed alterations to the property are not forbidden by the terms of the lease.

Maintaining the integrity of fire and acoustic protection

Each apartment has been designed to minimise the spread of fire and noise within the building in accordance with building regulations. Making structural changes (such as kitchen or bathroom renovations) could damage or compromise fire or acoustic protection and should only be undertaken after consulting the Management Company and seeking the prior approval of the landlord.

Suitable fixings

Light and medium-weight fixtures can be attached directly to the finished dry-lined walls using fixings which are compatible with the wall system. Any heavy fixtures to support items such as a plasma or LCD televisions should be fixed and installed by a professional.

Fitting items to floors, walls or ceilings

Caution should be exercised as electrical cables and water pipes may be present. Cables, which usually run in a vertical direction from switches and sockets, may be located by use of a cable detector. Ensure that the fixings used will support the load and are appropriate for the material which is being fixed into. Consider employing a competent person to undertake all work.

It is recommended that you check with your landlord whether you can attach fixtures to the exposed concrete walls. Even if permitted, alternatives to drilling should be considered.

Electrical work in the home

Prior to contemplating or undertaking any work to the electrical installations within the apartment, you need to be aware that there are restrictions upon what you may do as prescribed by: -

• Covenants contained in the lease
• Government legislation

Therefore for legal reasons and your own health and safety you are strongly advised to consult the Management Company for further guidance prior to undertaking any changes or alterations to the apartment electrical installation.

Sustainability

Please give consideration to the following points:

Timber

Use timber from a certified sustainable source such as FSC, SFI, PEFC, CTF or MTCC and look out for the "tick tree" trademark used in DIY stores.

Paint

Most manufacturers produce non-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints which are durable and less harmful to health and the environment. Whichever paint is used, make sure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines and dispose of any excess in a safe and responsible manner.

White goods

When buying new or replacement appliances, products with an A or A+ rating under the EU Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme are recommended.

Light bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs use up to four times less electricity to generate the same amount of light.