Housing adaptations

Your home may need changes to make daily life easier and safer. Some adaptations are simple and quick to arrange, while others may take more time and planning. The help available for home adaptations can vary across the country. Some local councils may have long waiting times or limited funding, which can delay the process.

It’s a good idea to start planning adaptations early, especially if your needs may change in the future. There may be grants available to help with the costs.

Minor adaptations and equipment

Minor adaptations are small changes that can help you move around more safely or manage everyday tasks more easily.

Examples include:

• Grab rails
• Raised toilet seats
• Temporary ramps

You may be able to get minor adaptations through your local council or NHS team free of charge. Ask for a care needs assessment, which will look at what equipment or adaptations may help you.

Major adaptations

Major adaptations are fixed to the building or change its structure. These can help make your home easier to live in.

Examples include:

• Changes to help you access your home, such as car parking, level paths, shallow steps, and ramps
• Widened doorways for wheelchair access, electronic door-openers, and swing or sliding doors
• Lower-level electrical switches and sockets so they’re easy to reach and use
• Extended or upgraded central heating
• A lift or stairlift if the upstairs rooms are accessible
• An extension if the upstairs rooms are not accessible – this could include a bedroom and bathroom
• Bathroom adaptations to help with independent personal care – such as a level-access shower, adapted bath, changing table, body dryer, and adapted toilet and washbasin
• Accessible kitchen appliances and cabinets
• Environmental controls to help people independently control lighting, heating, equipment, and the TV

We know many people face challenges when adapting their homes to meet their current and future needs. Our Adaptations manual is currently being updated. If you need more information about adapting your home, get in touch with our helpline team.

If you rent your home

If you privately rent your home, you must speak to your landlord before making any adaptations. Landlords have a legal duty to consider reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. These usually include minor or temporary changes but not fixed or structural adaptations.

If they do agree to make major adaptations, they can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant to help with the cost. Read more about this in the funding section below.

If you live in social housing, speak to your local council (or the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland). They may ask you to see an occupational therapist to assess your needs.

If you own your home

Your local council or Housing Executive can tell you how to apply for housing adaptations. They may arrange a visit from an occupational therapist to assess your needs.

If you’re planning major building work, you may need to apply for planning permission or building regulations approval. The council may also ask you to use an architect or surveyor.

How an occupational therapist can support you

An occupational therapist (OT) can offer expert guidance on how to make your home safer and more accessible.

They will:

• Visit your home and assess your needs
• Think about how needs may change over time, as well as carer’s needs
• Talk through your options and listen to what matters most to you

If you live in social housing, the OT will contact your council or Housing Executive to ask them to make the adaptations.

The OT can also help you apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant. You can read more about this below.

If your home cannot be adapted

Sometimes, adaptations are not possible – for example if the changes would cost too much, or your property has layout limitations.

In these cases, moving to a more suitable home may be the best option. You can read about this on our page for finding housing to meet your needs.

There are several grants and funding options to help you pay for home adaptations. Your occupational therapist can help you find out what’s available.

If you live in social housing, you should not usually need to pay for adaptations to your home. Your local council can give you advice about this.

Disabled Facilities Grant and Scheme of Assistance

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can help you pay for major home adaptations. You can apply for one through your local council (or the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland).

You can apply for a DFG if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, you can apply to the Scheme of Assistance, which helps with the cost of repairs and adaptations. You can apply through your local housing office or council. Citizens Advice Scotland has more information about the Scheme of Assistance.

How much you can apply for depends on where you live:

• Up to £30,000 in England
• Up to £35,000 in Northern Ireland – in some cases, this may increase to £70,000
• Up to £36,000 in Wales
• At least 80 percent of the cost in Scotland

Although it’s best to make adaptations that will meet your needs in the future, sometimes this is not possible with the funding available. If your needs change, you can apply for another grant later.

DFGs are means-tested, so the amount you will get will depend on your income and savings.

However:

• Children under 18 can get a DFG without their parents needing a means-test
• Landlords can apply for a grant without having a means-test
• In Scotland, you may be able to get a grant for the full cost if you receive certain benefits

If the DFG does not cover the full cost, you could ask the council if there’s any further funding available.

Important: Do not start any building work until your grant has been approved by the council or Housing Executive. If you start early, they may not pay for the work.

You can get more information about DFGs from the UK government or the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland.

The Adapt My Home online assessment lets you check whether you’re likely to qualify for a DFG.

If you do not qualify for a grant

If you’re unhappy with the outcome of your grant application, you can appeal the council’s decision. Good communication between you, the council, and your occupational therapist will help with this.

But if you still disagree with the decision, you can complain to the ombudsman in your nation:

• England – Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman
• Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman
• Scotland – Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
• Wales – Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

If you’re not able to get a grant through the council, you may choose to fund the adaptations yourself. If you decide to do this, it’s important to get advice from an occupational therapist (OT) first. Your local council may be able to refer you but there can be a long waiting list. If you can afford to, you can also find and pay for a private OT through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

You may not need to pay VAT on some adaptations – check the government website for more information.

Other grants and support

There may be other grants or funding schemes available to help with the cost of adapting your home. These include:

• Disability Grants – lists organisations who offer funding
• Family Fund – lists grants available for disabled children
• Independence at Home – offer grants to anyone with a disability who is in financial need
• Turn2Us – lets you search for grants

Grants may be means-tested, so it’s a good idea to check the eligibility criteria carefully.

Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) can offer advice and support. For example, they may help you draw up plans and get estimates for the adaptations. They can work alongside the council and occupational therapist.

Some HIAs mainly support older people, but some also help younger people with disabilities. You can find out more about HIAs in:

• England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales