Repairs & maintenance

Eligibility

You will be considered for a home adaptations if:

• you are our tenant and
• you have a disability

The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as: "a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities".

Any request for adaptations to properties where there is an active Right to Buy will not be considered.

Home adaptations

We class home adaptations as:

• handrails by outside doors, in bathrooms and landings
• additional stair rails
• outside handrails by steps
• half steps at front or back door
• window winders
• lever taps
• level internal thresholds
• moving door intercoms
• changing kitchen cupboard door/drawer handles
• door, frame and wall protectors for wheelchair users
• raising electric sockets to waist height
• additional sockets to prevent trailing cables
• outside lighting near entrance doors for tenants who are partially sighted
• highlighted step edges on outside steps
• wider paths

If you need any of these works to improve your safety and independence you can contact our repairs team on 01392 265031 selecting option 3. We will arrange to visit the property if required and then issue the work for one of our contractors.

Larger home adaptations

Larger and more costly home adaptations require the advice of an occupational therapist and involvement of one of our Technical Officers. Examples of larger aids and adaptations include:

• a stair lift
• an adapted kitchen
• a walk-in shower
• ramped access to your home
• widening of doorways

If you think you may need any of these larger home adaptations you will need to contact Care Direct on 0345 155 1007.  They will arrange for an occupational therapist to visit you to look at your personal circumstances and find out what you need to help you to live as safely and independently as possible in your home. 

Alternatives

Sometimes it makes more sense for you to move to a different, more suitable property or one that is already adapted.  If this is the case we will talk to you and/or your family, friends, carers and occupational therapist about a possible move.

If you are willing to move to a house which is more suitable for your needs (rather than have the work carried out on your current home which is often very expensive and sometimes impossible to do) you may be entitled to:

• £500 disturbance allowance (for carpets, curtains and so on)
• removal costs, subject to a £500 limit