Social Landlord Service: Adaptations Policy

11. Use of adapted property

1. Once major or extensive adaptations have been completed at a property it is expected that the person for whom the adaptation was completed will continue to live at the property for a minimum period of 5 years unless circumstances do not allow this (for example, a deteriorating medical condition means that the property is no longer suitable).
2. Where the individual's needs have changed and, with agreement from the Occupational Therapist and the council, a move to a suitable alternative property will be considered in line with the Council's Allocations Policy and Scheme. Should the new home require any adaptations to meet specific needs, these will be assessed in accordance with the terms of this policy.
3. If the tenant applies to be re-housed following completion of an adaptation for themselves or a member of their family, they would normally be considered adequately housed unless their circumstances have significantly changed or there will a material impact on them if they remain in the property.

11.1.Mutual Exchange

1. Mutual exchanges will be considered in line with legislation with Schedule 3 of the Housing Act 1985 setting out the grounds for refusing a mutual exchange. Therefore, permission may be refused if the property:
   • has been adapted or has features that make it suitable for a disabled person
   • is a property owned by a landlord which lets properties to particularly vulnerable people or;
   • is for people with special needs (supported housing) and if the mutual exchange took place there would no longer be such a person living in the property

11.2.Right to Buy

1. In some cases, applications for the Right to Buy from tenants to purchase their home which has been adapted for the current tenant or a prior tenant may not be approved.  All decisions to refuse the Right to Buy will be made on a case by case basis reflecting the legislation (Housing Act 1985 Schedule 5: Exceptions to the Right To Buy)
2. It is not possible for the Council to advise tenants at the point when adaptation works are agreed whether or not the works will mean that should they apply to purchase the property through the Right to Buy will be approved or refused.  All decisions can only be made at the point an application is made.

11.3.Change of Needs

1. If a tenant's needs change after adaptations have been installed for example, they can no longer do something that they could manage before, they should seek a further assessment of their needs from an Occupational Therapist or Trusted Assessor. In those circumstances where the adaptations needed are minor adaptations, the tenant should contact the Tenancy Services Team.