Accessible Housing Rights and Requirements for Renters in England

Renters in England who have accessibility needs are protected by strong legal rights. Whether you require adjustments because of a disability or want to ensure your current or future home meets accessibility requirements, knowing the law helps you live more comfortably and independently. This guide explains accessible housing requirements, your rights as a tenant, relevant tenancy forms, and how to seek help.

Understanding Accessible Housing in England

Accessible housing refers to homes that are designed or adapted to be usable by people with disabilities or mobility challenges. In England, several laws protect your right to access, request, and enjoy housing without discrimination.

Your Legal Rights as a Renter

Under the Equality Act 2010, landlords must not discriminate against disabled renters and must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help you live in your home safely and independently.¹

• Reasonable adjustments could include installing ramps, handrails, or changing taps for easier use.
• Landlords cannot refuse rental based on disability or make it unreasonably difficult to rent or live in a property.

If a landlord refuses necessary adaptations or discriminates, you have a right to challenge this legally.

What Are Reasonable Adjustments?

‘Reasonable adjustments’ are changes landlords must consider to remove barriers for disabled tenants. Whether an adjustment is considered reasonable depends on factors like the building’s age, practicality, cost, and available resources.

• Examples: Providing a parking space, installing visual alarms for hearing-impaired tenants.
• Landlords are not obliged to make structural changes (e.g., widening doors), unless the property is a social (council or housing association) home and government funding is available.

To formally request adjustments, you must contact your landlord in writing. If you need adaptations costing over £1,000, local council Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) can help.² For more, visit the UK government's Disabled Facilities Grants page.

Accessible Housing Standards

All new-build homes in England must meet certain accessibility requirements set by Building Regulations (Part M), with guidelines for accessible entrances, toilets, and clear passageways.³ Older homes may not meet these by default, but you can ask for reasonable changes or adaptations.

• Social housing must comply with the Government's accessible homes guidance.
• Private landlords still have a duty to consider reasonable adaptation requests.

How to Request Adaptations

If you need changes made to your rental property, follow these steps:

• Contact your landlord, ideally in writing, specifying the adaptation needed.
• If refused or ignored, contact your local authority for advice or to apply for a grant.
• If necessary, consider complaint procedures or tribunal action (see below).

Relevant Official Forms for English Renters

• Form: Disability Discrimination Complaint (No set form number)
  Use this if you believe your landlord has failed to fulfil their legal duty. You can write a formal letter or use the sample disability discrimination complaint template from the Equality Advisory Service. For example, if your landlord refuses a reasonable adjustment, send this letter to them before taking further action.
• Form: Disabled Facilities Grant Application
  Obtain from your local council if you need funds for home adaptations over £1,000. Fill in the form provided by your local authority, including relevant evidence of need and adaptation requirements. Grant details found at the official DFG site.

Taking Your Case Further: Tribunals and Legal Protections

If your landlord refuses to make reasonable adjustments, or you have experienced discrimination, you may be able to bring your case to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in England. This tribunal handles housing disputes, including those related to accessibility and discrimination.⁴

If you are in a registered social housing property, you can also complain directly to the Housing Ombudsman.

Main Legislation Protecting Disabled Renters

• Equality Act 2010
• Housing Act 1985 (for adaptations and secure tenants)
• Building Regulations 2010 (Part M)
• Refer to the Gov.uk guide to renting as a disabled person for further details

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my landlord refuse to let me adapt my rented home for accessibility?
   Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse reasonable adaptations if you have a disability. However, they are not usually required to make major structural changes, unless government funding (like the Disabled Facilities Grant) applies.
   
2. Are there grants for making my private rented home more accessible?
   Yes, the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is available through your local council if you need significant changes to your home. Find out more or apply through the official government DFG page.
   
3. What should I do if my landlord discriminates against me because of my disability?
   Begin by sending a formal complaint letter (see above for sample template). If unresolved, you can seek advice from the Equality Advisory and Support Service or submit a case to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
   
4. Do new rental homes have to meet accessibility standards in England?
   New builds must comply with Building Regulations Part M, which includes basic accessibility features. Older properties may not, but you still have a right to request adaptations.
   

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Government Guide: Renting as a disabled person
• Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS): 0808 800 0082 – for free legal advice on discrimination
• Housing Ombudsman: for social renters in England
• Disabled Facilities Grant: check eligibility and apply
• First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber): for housing and accessibility disputes
• Citizens Advice: Discrimination in housing

1. Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
2. Disabled Facilities Grants (gov.uk)
3. Building Regulations 2010: Approved Part M (gov.uk)
4. First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (gov.uk)