I've helped my wife, and now I want to help others - a landlord's mission to provide more adapted rental properties
“I’ve helped my wife, and now I want to help others” – a landlord’s mission to provide more adapted rental properties
Paul is a landlord based in Teesside, North East England. Paul owned a contracting company that he closed at the end of 2008 due to the global recession. Following this he was able to enter the private rented sector as a landlord. After considering various options, he realised that the most sensible course of action for him to let a house to tenants.
Accessibility
Paul’s wife suffers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and, in order to ensure their home was made suitable for her additional needs, Paul set about making the appropriate adaptations.
Following the completion of this work, this family home now consists of a ground floor bedroom complete with en-suite wet room and a dressing room adapted to meet a wheelchair user’s requirements. The adaptions don’t stop there though. Paul also altered the outside space surrounding the property by installing a level access path which runs alongside a set of rear patio doors which enter into the property’s back garden. The changes also mean that Paul’s wife can more easily reach the front section of the property – something which she was unable to do prior to these changes.
Adapting
Making these changes inspired Paul to embark on a similar project with his rental properties. Recognising that there is an urgent need for more homes adapted to meet the needs of older tenants or tenants with disabilities, Paul has now developed plans to adapt a new rental property so that it contains the necessary additions for a wheelchair user tenant. Paul hopes that he can roll out their approach to other properties in his portfolio.
Next steps
Expanding on his reasons for taking this step, Paul said:
“Since adapting my own home, this has made me want to do this for others and has made me realise that there’s a such a big issue with the lack of accessible housing in the UK. I thoroughly advise landlords to consider doing this, it really can change someone’s life.”
He added, “There needs to be more support for tenants when it comes to adapted homes, and landlords can really help get the ball rolling when it comes to offering assistance in this area.”
Paul is kindly going to keep us regularly updated on progress, so stay tuned for further news about his project over the coming months.
If you are interested in adapting your properties, or have done so in the past, please share your story with us. You can email [email protected].
Or visit our campaign page, where you can also download our guidance for landlords to help guide you through the process.
Additionally, you can watch our recent webinar on adapting properties here.
The NRLA is calling for greater cooperation and communication between landlords and local authorities - particularly on ensuring landlords area aware of them availability of Disabled Facilities Grants - to resolve the urgent need for more adapted private rented accommodation.
