How to go about getting adaptations done

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

This page looks at how you can work out what kind of adaptations you'd benefit from, how you can get help paying for adaptations and what you can do if it isn't possible to adapt your home.

How do I get adaptations done?

Before you get adaptations done, you need to consider the following things:

What kind of adaptations do I need?

Adaptations can range from simple aids such as accessible taps and door handles to more complex building projects such as installing a wet room or stairlift. If you need any advice on the kind of adaptations available, you can contact your local social work department and ask to see an occupational therapist (see 'do I need to get social work involved' below) or get advice from a disability advice centre such as a Centre for Independent Living or Disabled Persons Housing Service - use the directory at the Update website to find a centre near you. If there is a Care and Repair service in your area, you may be able to get advice from there as well.

You can find out more about adaptations and specialist equipment for disabled people at the Direct.gov and Disability Living Foundation websites.

Do I need permission to make adaptations?

If you rent your home from the council, a housing association or a private landlord, you will need to ask your landlord's permission before carrying out any adaptations that alter the property. However, your landlord can't refuse your request unreasonably. Read the pages on adaptations in council and private rented accommodation to find out more.

If you own your home, you may need to get a building warrant or planning permission in order to carry out the work.

Can I get help paying for adaptations?

If you need to make adaptations to your home, you may be able to get a home improvement grant from the council to cover some or all of the cost.

If you rent your home from a private landlord, either you or your landlord can apply for the grant. If you wish to apply, your landlord must give their permission first. If you are disabled, you can apply even if your name isn't on the tenancy agreement. For example, this may be the case if you live with your parents or partner or share with friends.

Whether or not you will get a grant depends on:

• the reason the adaptations are needed
• your income and capital
• how much money the council has in its budget.

Contact the council for further information and an application form. You can find contact details on your council's website or using the Advice Services Directory.

If you are disabled, you may also be able to get a grant from the council's social work department. Contact the council to find or check out their website to find out more.

You can find out more here about financial help for adaptations available to elderly and disabled people.

Do I need to get social work involved?

If you're thinking about getting adaptations carried out, you may find it helpful to get advice from an occupational therapist or health worker, as they will be able to suggest equipment that will help you get the most out of your home. However, you don't need to get social work involved if you don't want to.

If you are elderly or disabled and need help with day-to-day living in your home, you can ask the social work department to carry out a care assessment. You can find contact details for your local social work department on your council's website or using the Advice Services Directory.

What is a care assessment?

A care assessment is an evaluation of your personal and medical situation and any care needs you may have. The assessment will look at how you cope with day-to-day living, and the social work department will then recommend help or equipment that might make life easier for you to live in your home.

This could include:

• getting some help with cooking, cleaning or other household tasks
• putting up hand rails to help you get about
• widening doors for wheelchair access
• adapting your kitchen to suit your needs, for example by lowering the work tops or installing levered handles and taps
• installing a new bathroom.

Social work will then either provide what you need, or help you make the adaptations yourself.

What if I can't adapt my current home?

You may not be able to adapt your current home if:

• you rent your home and your landlord has a good reason to refuse you permission to make the changes
• it's not practically possible - for example if you live on the fifth floor of a building with no lift or you can't widen the corridors for a wheelchair
• it's too expensive.

If this is the case, you may have no choice but to move to different accommodation. This might involve:

• buying your own home if you are currently renting
• selling your home if you own it and buying a new, more suitable property
• applying for housing from the council or from a housing association
• applying for a transfer if you are already a council or housing association tenant
• moving to a private rented place that is more suitable for your needs
• moving into supported accommodation, such as a care home or sheltered housing
• applying to the council as homeless. If you are no longer able to live in your accommodation because it isn't adapted to your needs, the council may consider you to be legally homeless. If so, the council will offer you somewhere to stay while it looks into your situation and decides whether or not to offer you a permanent home. The section on help from the council explains the process in detail.

You can get advice on finding accessible accommodation from a housing aid centre or disability advice centre - find your nearest using the Advice Services Directory and Update website.