Can I evict my tenant for installing a stairlift without permission?

Totally unreasonable to evict.

While it would have been nice to be asked about installing a stairlift it’s her home.

Once she leaves it’s a simple task of unscrewing the track. Honestly you wont even know it had been there if the stairs and floors are carpeted.

If you do evict be prepared for the media backlash against yourself and for all PRS landlords.

I had a stairlift in an upper flat I bought. I advertised it on eBay with no reserve and for the buyer to remove and take away. It sold for £1 and was removed at no cost to me. The flat was derelict and needed major refurb. If it was fit for renting I would have tried renting with the stairlift in place to aid a mobility restricted tenant. The local council would have been a good starting point for that, this particular local council is very PRS friendly with good initiatives.

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 28/10/2024 – 10:16
But its not about the chairlift, its about the lack of respect, communication and complete disregard for the tenancy agreement.

The tenant feels they can do what they like regardless of the deal they agreed to. So it might not be a case of ‘just’ removing it when they leave, there might be a whole host of other things.

Maybe eviction isn’t the answer, but there needs to be some accountability.

My only concern would be the electrical connection. If it just plugs in using a standard 3 pin plug no problem. If it has been wired in you should ask for the certificate to prove the work has been carried out by a competent electrician.

Anyone going to the expense of having this sort of equipment installed is indicating they intend to be there for the foreseeable. If they’re predominantly a good tenant who pays the rent on time why would you want to evict them?

Better communication on both sides would be helpful.

I think it is reasonable and I’d use S21 whilst it’s available. Something doesn’t feel right.

Maybe the disabled person is moving in and renting out the tax payer funded bungalow? Seems a lot of trouble to install a stair lift for a visitor.

Reply to the comment left by John Bentley at 28/10/2024 – 10:44
Exactly this.

I don’t think I’d evict under the circumstances but I would be inclined to write to her and say that whilst you are happy for the installation to remain in the property whilst she continues to live there, it must be removed and any damage made good at her cost if or when she leaves. I would also politely remind her about the clauses in her tenancy agreement re making alterations and the requirements for her to seek landlord approval beforehand but keep it friendly and say that whilst you want to work with her to ensure the property is accessible and suitable you do need to have input into any planned adaptations, especially those requiring any electrical work as you need the proper certification for health & safety compliance etc…. I agree it is frustrating when tenants do things without your knowledge or consent ESPECIALLY when there are legal agreements in place to require permission, but unfortunately a tenancy agreement appears to only be legally binding on the landlord these days!

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 28/10/2024 – 10:37If a tenant put a bracket on the wall to hang a TV, or fixed a wardrobe to a bedroom wall with screws to stop it moving, would those be grounds for eviction?
As Judith Wordsworth says above, it is trivial to remove a stairlift. (I have done so and it takes two people less than an hour). It is not even obvious that installation is altering the property.
Yes, the tenant should have asked first. If they had done so and explained that it was for a close friend or partner and the landlord had refused, what then? Probably a claim of disability discrimination. Landlords need to accept that their property is the tenant’s home. Installing a stairlift is a reasonable thing to do. It is not cheap and will not have been done without a reason.

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 28/10/2024 – 11:36
Maybe the reason I’ve previously suggested?