Disability Access Question for Residential Landlords
12:25 PM, 9th April 2013, 13 years ago
2
My letting agent has found a tenant for us, a mother who is a carer for her disabled child.
They have been living in a council flat, now they need a house.
She is receiving housing benefit.
My question is would I be legally responsible should there be any adaptations required to be made to the house.
Thanks
Flo
Tags:
Advice requested by readers, discussion, Forum, Housing benefit, Landlords, Letting Agent, Property, questions, readers question, Readers Questions, tenants
2 comments on this article
Learn from your peers’ experience
A different perspective could help you spot an issue, avoid a mistake or find a better way forward. Read the comments and add your own views if you wish.
Previous Article
Advice needed re insurance cover and freehold managing agents
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12260 - Articles: 1484
12:52 PM, 9th April 2013, About 13 years ago
Hi Flo
I have a tenant who’s wife had a stroke, they needed to make some adaptations to the property or find another one. The adaptations were grant assisted and involved building an extension onto the property to create a downstairs bathroom. They needed my permission to obtain the grant and to do the works. Obviously I agreed as the extension added value to my house. I was shocked as theoretically I could have served notice as soon as the work was done and took the profit. I’m not that kind of person but I was surprised that it would have been possible. Therefore, in answer to your question, I do not believe that residential landlords can be made responsible for adapting a property for disabilities. If we were, we could obviously serve notice on the tenants anyway. That could open up the flood gates for discrimination though so I hope that can of worms will never get opened!
Comments: 36
6:57 AM, 12th April 2013, About 13 years ago
I’m no expert, but logically speaking, if you want to make a coffee you don’t start with a tea bag.
In other words, your prospective tenant may have selected an unsuitable property for her needs. In which case, you should point this out to her.
The ‘ I Want That One ‘ was a comedy sketch. Not a blueprint for reallity.