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Tenants fear landlord barriers to home adaptations
12:01 AM, 21st October 2026, 3 weeks ago
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More than a third of tenants would worry about securing their landlord’s permission if their home needed adapting to support a loved one, research has found.
The concern comes before any request has been refused and the survey measures what both private and social renters fear might stand in their way.
Habinteg Housing Association found that 38% of renters ranked obtaining permission from their landlord or housing provider among their three main concerns about adaptations.
Now, the association is urging private landlords to follow the National Residential Landlords Association’s best practice guidance on handling such requests.
Cost and practical concerns
Habinteg’s chief executive, Martin Warhurst, said: “The lack of accessible homes causes real harm and hardship to countless households, as well as driving costs to public services.”
The findings appear in the association’s report, The adaptability gap: Public perceptions of UK homes in 2026.
Across all respondents, 46% placed the cost of adaptations among their top three concerns, while 36% questioned whether their property could accommodate the changes.
Meanwhile, 28% worried about how the work would be funded, with the same proportion concerned about whether adaptations would continue to meet the person’s needs over time.
Hospital delays and care costs
The research also found that 21% of adults said they or a family member had experienced a delayed hospital discharge or a move into residential care because their home could not meet their accessibility needs.
Using the survey findings, Habinteg calculated potential hospital costs of £3.9bn, assuming each delayed discharge involved three additional nights.
A separate calculation put residential care costs at £11.2bn, assuming stays of four weeks.
Planning for changing needs
When choosing their next home, 25% of respondents said accessibility and adaptability would be a high or top priority compared with 17% who said this influenced their previous home choice.
Habinteg is calling on councils to provide a single point of access for advice on adaptations, funding and support.
It is wants clearer information about available assistance and conversations about housing suitability to start before changing needs become an emergency.
Tags:
accessible housing, disabled tenants, Habinteg, Home adaptations, Kantar survey, Private Landlords
7 comments on this article
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Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2095 - Articles: 21
12:51 PM, 21st October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
I have every sympathy for tenants who need a property adapted. However the Renters’ Rights Act has made their situation much worse than before.
Suppose a tenant could say: “If you put in [a stairlift][a ramp][an accessible bath][some other change], I know it will cost £X (say £1500), I will commit to a three year tenancy and pay an extra £50 a month. Many landlords would be amenable to that deal. I am sure may tenants who need a property adapting would be prepared to commit legally.
Unfortunately, thanks to the Renters’ Right Act 2025, it is now impossible for a tenant to commit to stay any longer than two months. Furthermore, even if extra rent is agreed, the tenant has six months to challenge it and any decrease will be backdated so the landlord might receive nothing extra for his pains.
Even if the tenant offers to pay for the work himself, landlords have the further problem that it can be costly to take out certain “improvements”. The work may be an improvement for a particular person but positively unwanted by the majority of prospective tenants. Depending on what is required to undo the improvement there may be a void period whilst work is carried out. So if a landlord is unlucky, he ends up with a loss because he tried to help out a tenant.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 835 - Articles: 1
4:40 PM, 21st October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 21/10/2026 – 12:51
I read rent can be increased by mutual agreement earlier than 12 months by agreeing a genuinely new APT. anyone done this?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2095 - Articles: 21
4:49 PM, 21st October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Joe Bloggs at 16:40
Joe, Yes the rent might be increased by having a new APT but I am not aware that the tenant can bind himself legally not to challenge the rent. One possible problem is that the old lease will be evidence of the market rent. Now, it may be the tribunal will accept the landlord’s argument and not be impressed by a tenant acting like that but the landlord will have to fight the point if an appeal is lodged.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 835 - Articles: 1
5:03 PM, 21st October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 21/10/2026 – 16:49
I was thinking this would be valid in cases where there are ‘improvements’ as you alluded to. so its not a sham exercise.
I dont understand how tenants can agree a new rent as a responsible adult and then challenge it!
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1657 - Articles: 1
11:14 AM, 24th October 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Joe Bloggs at 21/10/2026 – 17:03
Tenants agreeing a new rent under a new APT can challenge the rent whenever they want.
Seem to remember something on Shelter’s website stating that.
Especially if rents drop in the area and the tenant is now paying more than average for the area.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 835 - Articles: 1
11:55 AM, 24th October 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 24/10/2026 – 11:14
sorry worded it badly. I understand the law allows it, but it’s not right even if rents have dropped. the rent at time of contract is the only material fact. I think there is limit of six months.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2095 - Articles: 21
10:59 AM, 26th October 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 11:14
Judith
Tenants can only challenge the initial rent within 6 months of the start of the tenancy.
“[I]f rents drop in the area [after the start of the tenancy] and the tenant is now paying more than average for the area” that should have no bearing on the tribunal’s decision. The tribunal should be assessing the market rent at the date the tenancy started (or was signed if significantly earlier than the start date).