Make it worth while

They're tetchy about anything that might affect the property values in the area.

No its because the flat is rented and not owned outright. It's so people don't try to do bodge jobs or DIY.

Ahh. Hereabouts the landlord controls what the leaseholder may or may not do directly; it's not till you own your own home that you have to deal with the draconian HOA. Property associations are the landlord's problem, if you've got a landlord.

My flat isn't privately rented from a landlord, it's rented through the housing association which are owned by the council.