Finding a home if you’re disabled

If you’re disabled or have accessibility needs, there are a number of options for finding a home.

If you’re homeless the council must find you a suitable place to stay. You could get higher priority when you apply for social housing.

Examples of disabilities

A person is disabled if they have a physical or mental condition that has a long-term effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.

For example, if you have:

mobility issues, meaning you need to use a wheelchair or other aides
sensory issues, for example if you’re blind or deaf
a long-term illness that impacts your ability to do everyday things
a mental health condition
a learning disability

Getting help with finding a home

If you’re finding it difficult to find somewhere to live, there are organisations that can help.

Housing options interview

Your local council must offer you a housing options interview if you ask for help with housing.

At this meeting, a housing officer will explain your options for social housing, private renting, and support available to help you stay in your current home.

You can also ask for an occupational therapy assessment, sometimes called an OT assessment. This looks at whether your current home can be adapted to meet your needs, or if you’ll need to move to somewhere more suitable.

Find your council's contact details on mygov.scot.

Housing Options Scotland

Housing Options Scotland specialise in finding homes for disabled people. They can offer advice on buying, renting, or adapting a home.

They work with you to understand your needs and then connect you with housing providers and support services that may be able to help.

Contact Housing Options Scotland.

If you do not have anywhere to stay

The council must help you if you’re homeless or at risk of homelessness. You do not need to be sleeping on the streets to be homeless.

You're legally homeless even if you have accommodation but it is not reasonable for you to stay there. For example, if you’re now a wheelchair user but your home is up stairs that cannot be adapted.

The council must give you temporary accommodation that is suitable for your needs.

Tell the council you need to make a homeless application and that you need a housing needs assessment. This is sometimes called an occupational therapy assessment or an OT assessment.

Check our advice on:

Applying for a council or housing association home

When you apply for social housing you’ll be added to a waiting list, sometimes called a housing list. The waiting time depends on your circumstances and housing needs.

You might get higher priority on the waiting list if you have accessibility needs. This can include if:

you have a disability and you need a home that’s adapted for you
you need to move closer to a specific clinic or doctor for medical reasons
you need to live near family or a carer
you’re leaving care or hospital

When you apply, tell them:

about your disability or accessibility issues
you need a specific type of home, such as ground-floor accommodation
if your current home is affecting your health

Provide evidence, such as letters from your doctor.

Check our advice on applying for social housing.

Transferring your tenancy

If you already have a council or housing association tenancy that is not suitable for your needs, you can ask to transfer.

You can apply for a transfer for any reason, but you might get higher priority if:

you have a disability and your current home cannot be adapted
you need to move urgently for health or safety reasons

Check our advice on getting a transfer to a different social home.

Finding a private rented home

You can look for private rented homes that meet your needs. For example, if you’re a wheelchair user, search for ground-floor flats or bungalows.

Most private rented homes are advertised online. Check websites like S1 Homes, Rightmove, Zoopla, Gumtree, OpenRent, and Spareroom.

You can also contact letting agencies directly. They’ll ask you what you need and let you know what is available.

Check our advice on finding a private rented home.

Getting support at home

Speak to the council’s social work team if you need support to live independently.

They will refer you to the correct team to carry out an assessment to see what support or equipment could help you to stay in your current home. This could include visits from support workers, specialist equipment or adaptations.

The name of this team can be different at different councils. For example, it might be called the rehabilitation team, the community care team, or the OT team.

Check our advice on getting care or support at home.

Applying for sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is a home where you live mostly independently, but with some support.

The support can include things like having an alarm, a helper on site 24-hours a day, and organised social activities.

Check our advice on getting sheltered housing.

Making adaptations

If you want to move because your current home is not suitable for your needs, you could first consider making adaptations to it.

For example, you might be able to put in:

ramps or step-free access
walk-in showers or adapted bathrooms
stairlifts

There are schemes and grants that could help to pay for adaptations.

Check our advice on:

If a landlord will not rent to you

It’s unlawful for landlords or letting agents to refuse to rent to you because you’re disabled or because you claim benefits.

If you’re discriminated against, you can challenge it.

Check our advice on dealing with housing discrimination.

Last updated: 1 September 2025