1. What this type of adaptation can involve
Tenants should normally obtain written permission before making physical alterations to a rented home. The process can differ between private landlords, housing associations and councils, and legal duties vary across the UK.
Before appointing a contractor, clarify who will apply for funding, approve the design, pay for the work, maintain the adaptation and deal with it when the tenancy ends or the property changes hands.
Common examples
- Written landlord, freeholder or housing-provider consent
- Council or housing-association adaptation procedures
- Disabled Facilities Grant applications for rented homes
- Alterations to shared entrances, paths and communal areas
- Responsibility for servicing lifts and specialist equipment
- Removal, reinstatement or ownership when a tenancy ends
2. What to check with a potential company
Ask questions that help you understand whether the company has relevant experience and whether its proposed approach is suitable for your home.
- Do not instruct work until the required written permissions and funding approvals are in place.
- Give the company the landlord's conditions and any council or housing-provider specification.
- Confirm who will own, insure, maintain and service specialist equipment after installation.
- Ask whether the contractor needs to coordinate access, asbestos information or building records with the landlord.
- Ensure quotations separate adaptation work from any repairs or landlord-responsibility work.
3. Common questions
Can a landlord refuse permission for a disability-related adaptation?
The answer depends on the tenancy, the proposed work and the law applying in that part of the UK. Landlords should not unreasonably refuse certain disability-related improvements, but tenants should obtain advice and written permission before work begins.
Can a tenant apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Tenants may be able to apply, but landlord consent and local-authority requirements can apply. Contact the council before commissioning work or assuming a grant will be available.
Who maintains an adaptation in a rented home?
Responsibility should be agreed in writing. It may depend on who owns the equipment, the tenancy terms, grant conditions and whether the item is part of the building or specialist equipment.