Landlords can access Disabled Facilities Grants to make adaptations for disabled tenants

Landlords can access Disabled Facilities Grants to make adaptations for disabled tenants

0:01 AM, 22nd February 2024, About 10 months ago

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A new resource from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) aims to help landlords make their properties more accessible for tenants with disabilities or long-term illnesses.

The factfinder, which is supported by Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies, explains how landlords can use Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) to fund adaptations such as ramps, rails or widened doorways.

DFGs are available from local authorities to help tenants, landlords and homeowners pay for the costs of making their properties more suitable for the needs of disabled people.

However, many landlords are unaware of the grants or how to apply for them, and the proportion of DFGs allocated to the private rented sector (PRS) is lower than other tenures, despite the sector’s growth.

‘Properties tailored to their distinct accessibility needs’

The NRLA’s campaigns and public affairs executive, Samuel Leeson, said: “The number of tenants requiring properties tailored to their distinct accessibility needs has significantly increased alongside the growth of the private rented sector (PRS).

“Recent data suggests that more than 1.2 million households in the sector now accommodate someone living with a disability or long-term illness.”

He adds that the needs of disabled renters vary, and the installation of adaptations can range from minor adjustments like grab rails to more extensive modifications such as widening doorways or installing permanent ramping.

How landlords can manage tenants’ requests for adaptations

The NRLA’s factfinder aims to address this gap by providing practical guidance on how landlords can manage tenants’ requests for adaptations, initiate requests themselves and access the available funding.

Paul Smith, the chair of Foundations, praised the factfinder as an ‘indispensable resource’ that ’empowers private landlords to contribute positively to the well-being of individuals with disabilities’.

He added: “Its user-friendly approach, coupled with practical guidance, makes it an asset for landlords seeking to enhance their understanding of the DFG and actively participate in creating more inclusive living spaces.”

The Disabled Facilities Grants document can be accessed from the NRLA’s website.


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