
Adding handrails or other adaptations to a Leasehold or Rented home
21st November 2022
If you need a handrail or other mobility aids in your home due to disability, illness or age it can be difficult to navigate your best options. In this post we break down the best ways to go about getting the help you need.
The Basics
If you need a handrail or other mobility aids in your home due to disability, illness or age the best first step is to get a needs assessment. You may be able to arrange this through your GP or you can contact your local Adult Services team to request one of these and it will usually be carried out by one of their occupational therapists.
Alternatively, you can arrange a private assessment. This may result in a shorter waiting time and more flexibility with regard to your appointment arrangements but will be something you have to pay for. You can find qualified occupational therapists in your area on the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website
The next step is to consider your funding options, which we cover in our previous blog post: Funding for Home Adaptions
If you own your own home on a freehold basis, making long term or permanent adaptations such as the addition of handrails and grabrails should be straightforward. However, if you own a leasehold property or rent, you will need to get permission from the relevant people before making any permanent changes. Read on for more information on how to go about applying for permission to make adaptations depending on your living circumstances.
I own my own property, but it’s leasehold
In this situation you own the bricks and mortar of your home, but not the land it’s built on or any communal areas associated with the property.
The first step would be to apply to the managing agent or freeholder of the property, providing details of what adaptations you require. Although it’s usually considered helpful to get the finance in place for your adaptations prior to requesting permission, if you are planning to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant, you will need permission of the managing agent/freeholder in order to submit your application.
Whilst the Equality Act 2010 states that anyone with a qualifying disability is entitled to ‘reasonable adjustments’ it does not stipulate what these are, and additionally states that a landlord is not legally required to remove or permanently alter any physical feature of their property or shared areas, such as hallways, corridors and other communal areas within a block of flats.

Debby Cowley, who spent several years working as a buildings manager in the private rental sector says: “Check your lease if you are in this situation. If it states that such changes can be made at the discretion of the managing agent, you may find it easier to get agreement.”
In some cases, a lease will state that there must be agreement between all or a majority of leaseholders in order for changes to be made, which is more challenging. This might apply if, for instance, you live in a block of flats with a communal garden and would like to request the addition of handrails to outside steps or grabrails at entrances.
According to Debby, finance and appearance are the biggest stumbling blocks in this situation.
“Securing funding ahead of your request which minimises the financial impact on other leaseholders is likely to benefit your case significantly, as is considering the visual impact of your adaptation and whether it will be in keeping with the age and style of the overall building. If you have no success initially with the managing agent, it may be worth contacting the freeholder directly as they are ultimately the person who has the final say and may be more willing to consider changes.”
If getting consent to such adaptations is still proving a struggle, you can also refer to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995,which was updated in 2005 (see What Does the Law say about adapting my home? below)
We’d advise you seek professional advice from a solicitor, Citizens Advice or a specialised charity or agency such as those listed at the end of this blog if you have any concerns or queries about your request to make adaptations to your home.
My home is privately rented
The first step to adding mobility aids such as handrails to your home is to contact your landlord or managing agent to request permission, which you can do under any circumstances. You don’t need to have any kind of formal diagnosis, assessment or funding to simply ask the question, although it may strengthen your case if you do.
It will help your request if you have funding in place (where possible) and visuals of the changes you are requesting, The Handrail People can provide drawings of your requested handrails where applicable.
Your landlord may request that if such changes are made they are reversed and made good at the end of your tenancy agreement.

I rent my home from the local Council
If you rent your property from your Local Authority we’d advise checking out their website or giving them a call to discuss your needs.
How much help you receive will depend on the policies of your individual council/housing department. Some will be on board to assist from start to finish and arrange the all the work for you. This will be cheaper and easier but is likely to mean more limited options in terms of style and timescales.
Other councils may ask you to obtain quotes – often from a list of their preferred service providers and expect you to oversee the work yourself.
I rent my home from a Housing Association
Like councils, Housing Association services will vary in their approach, so getting in touch with them directly is the best starting point.
Give them a call as soon as you are aware that you need adjustments to your home, as many HAs are able to assist with funding as well as arranging the work and any other logistics, for instance if you need to stay elsewhere while the work is being carried out.

What does the law say about adapting my home?
There are two main pieces of legislation you may wish to consult when applying to make adjustments and adaptations to your home:
The Equality Act 2010
The EA 2010 defines a disability as:
A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term effect (defined as 12+ months) on an individual’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks
Be aware though, that whilst the law states that qualification under the Equality Act 2010 entitles you to ‘reasonable adjustments’, there is no stipulation as to what may be considered reasonable or otherwise. Whilst auxiliary (i.e. temporary or portable aids) are an entitlement under the act, there is no requirement of a Landlord to make or agree to permanent changes to the property.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Whilst the DDA 1995 made many forms of discrimination unlawful, unfortunately it didn’t impose any duty on landlords to make reasonable adjustments in communal areas of a property. However, an Amendment was passed in 2005, which introduced certain requirements for let and leasehold premises, namely that landlords or property managers are required to take reasonable steps to:
Change a policy, practice or procedure which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to accept a letting, enjoy the premises or use any facility specified within the terms of the lease or tenancy agreement.
Change the terms of a lease or letting when requested to by a disabled person or someone with the authority to act on their behalf. This includes the landlord or manager being obliged to change or waive the terms of a letting or lease which prevents alterations to a demised premises to allow the leaseholder to make alterations needed due to disability, with the consent of the landlord.
It’s all too complicated!
There is a lot to consider when adapting or adding mobility aids to your home, but there’s also lots of help available and most of it is free. While our blog only scratches the surface, you can obtain lots more information and support from the websites and organisations below.
At The Handrail People we offer a range of products and services to suit your circumstances, style and budget, from traditional wrought iron style balustrades to contemporary stainless steel and colourful tubular designs. To discuss your needs, give our friendly team a call on 01903 204867.