Home improvements
Information for Queensland public housing tenants
You need our approval before making any improvements to your public housing property. Write a request and hand it in, email or send to your nearest Housing Service Centre.
In the request, include details about your proposed improvements. They must not affect the property’s structural integrity or safety and any improvements must be at your own expense.
We will write to tell you whether your request has been approved.
You can request approval to install things like:
- garden sheds
- garages and carports (except in multi-unit complexes)
- pergolas and shade houses
- air-conditioning
- shower screen
- ceiling fans.
Swimming pools
Public housing tenants are not allowed to install swimming pools or inflatable pools that can be filled to a depth of 30cm or more.
If you need a pool for extraordinary medical reasons, please discuss this with us.
If you install a swimming pool without our approval, you’ll have to remove it and return the property to its original condition at your own cost.
If you’ve installed a swimming pool with our approval, you must provide a current pool safety certificate or remove the pool and return the property to its original condition at your own cost.
Asbestos
Some building materials used in homes before 1990, including materials used in wall and floor coverings, ceilings and roofing, may contain asbestos.
If the material isn’t damaged, there’s no danger to health. Drilling, sanding or nailing may cause particles to become airborne, creating a potential health hazard.
Unsafe removal can also contaminate the ground around your home. Only qualified tradespeople should disturb or remove asbestos products.
If you wish to make home improvements and believe there may be asbestos products, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
Fire safety
To ensure smoke alarms function properly, the department does not allow:
- air-conditioning vents to be installed within 400mm of a smoke alarm
- ceiling fans to be installed where the blades are within 400mm of a smoke alarm
- light fittings to be installed within 300mm of a smoke alarm.
Security cameras
We allow security cameras in public housing properties only within strict limits to protect the privacy of others.
You can request approval to install a security camera if it’s directed at your own private area, such as your yard.
If your door opens directly onto a common area, we may allow you to direct a camera to the area right in front of your door, depending on the circumstances.
Security screens
We install security screens on all doors, except fire doors, and all openable windows. We don’t allow tenants to install security screens.
Pay television
You do not need our approval to install pay television. However, you must tell your service provider that your home is a government property. We have guidelines that they must follow.
Local council and building approval
You must follow local council rules when making modifications to your home. Ask your local council what rules apply to you.
If you do need local council approval for the modifications you’re making, give us copies of any approved plans and all council approvals for each stage of the work.
If you need a building approval, you are responsible for arranging this and ensuring the works comply with the law. Read more about building approvals.
Structural works
We don’t allow tenants to:
- build extensions
- convert garages to bedrooms
- remove or add walls
- install doorways or windows.
Outdoor structures, such as carports or pergolas, must be self-supporting and not attached to the dwelling.
Painting
We don't allow tenants to paint the outside of their home but do consider requests to paint inside.
Some homes may contain lead paint or lead paint residue, which can be a health hazard. Read our information on lead-based paint. After you’ve read this information, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre for approval.
If you get approval, we tell you what paints and colours are acceptable. We don’t supply paint.
If the painting isn’t a professional standard or acceptable colour, we have it repainted when you leave and charge the cost to your rental account as a maintenance debt.
If you think your property needs repainting, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre. They will tell you if and when we’ll do the painting
Before you leave
You need written approval from us to leave any approved improvements behind.
We don’t pay you for the improvements' costs if you do leave them, and we may charge you the cost of removing them. Read more about maintenance debts.
If you leave the property and remove the improvement, you must return the property to its original condition at your own cost.
Special circumstances
In special circumstances, we may approve improvements that, normally, we wouldn’t. Contact us if you have queries about special circumstances.