Tenant carrying out work to the property?

Perhaps you need to outline what you mean by "more major works"
As a tenant I thought nothing of carrying out "minor" maintenance as it's effectively only changing parts or components of an existing system or perhaps resealing something. However that's a world away from doing something that could structurally change the fabric of the property even though I have the skillset.
I would suggest that if the nature of the work could potentially impact the walls, electrics,gas, plumbing, sewerage or any other area that may impact your insurance then it has to be done by a competent tradesman.

I agree with Paddy.

What happens if the property is damaged as a result of the tenant’s DIY?

I’d prefer that an insured tradesman completes work other than minor repairs.

Per the gist of the comments above; we're always very cautious of a tenant completing 'maintenance'. It has to be very minor in nature without possible insurance/legal implications, however seemingly unlikely. They need to change a light bulb? Sure. They want to change a switch? I'm calling a tradesman.

I would say no to major maintenance.

Who knows who will become the next Government but if tenants do something that materially enhances the value of property ie new kitchen units, exchanges the bath for a large walk-in shower would that/ could that give them a material/financial interest in the property that they then could expect a
£% when the property is sold?????

Also unless you have paid for major value enhancing works then you wont be able to claim as an allowable expense against CGT, if there is any allowance in the future (call me cynical).

Politely but insistently say no I'm sorry you cannot do this - cite buildings reg/insurance/EICR etc etc but depending on what they want to do you 100% organise and pay for
the project

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 30/05/2024 - 11:38
That actually raises a very good point. Granted I am trying to guess what the "major maintenance" would be but I have kitchen/bathroom in my head at the moment.
Should your tenants want to put in a new kitchen or bathroom regardless of whether it's agreed to be done by them or by a tradesman then you'll need to make sure they fully understand that upon installation it becomes yours and you'll need to understand what you are taking on.

Whilst this is their home it's your property and allowing tenants to customise to their liking is not part of tenant agreement. Any work that needs doing is your responsibility (and the word here is NEEDS). While you haven't been specific on what they want to do, you clearly have doubts, hence why you asking this forum for advice. As long as you meeting all health and safety requirements and legislation then the property is what it is. If it's not to their satisfaction then time to reconsider other options!

There one thing that isn't ringing true here. You have offered to pay for materials and labour and the tenant has said no? If someone wanted to carry out a job of work for me which I had budgeted for and then was told I didn't have to do it or pay for it I would have accepted the offer with open arms (and legs if it was the retaining wall I'm doing atm)

You have no control over the quality of work and could do nothing about it if any element was shoddy. In fact, you would be required to pay to fix it yourself as you would have a legal obligation to fix any disrepair. You would also not be covered for insurance. I think you should also have a serious discussion with your tenant about security of tenure. Your tenant doesn't really have any long term security as you could serve notice at any point.

Based on my experience of a tenant wishing to change the colour of paint in the property and moving from a professional standard to poor d.i.y. using cheap materials so that the character and quality of the property was degraded, that's a solid No from me.
As stated above, your responsibility, liability for safety and reasonable interest in the investment case (cost/quality/longevity) makes amateur or even professional outside your control an unacceptable situation.
It's hard enough to get a professional tradesperson to do what you want, right first time, so that less competence and control is not worth the additional effort.
This restriction is part of a tenancy rather than being the owner of the property. More control of the property costs more. That's not a Tenancy.

What if you had to sell the property at some time or other and you didn't want to renew the tenancy. It sounds like a nightmare. I wouldn't, I would encourage them to save and buy their own home.
Unless they were well off and renting was a choice I would definitely spell out I can give you notice at any time and you never know what's around the corner. How would they feel about that, not very happy I'm sure.