Social Landlord Service: Adaptations Policy

5. Determining eligibility for assistance

5.1. Eligibility

1. The following eligibility criteria apply:
   • applicants must be an introductory or secure tenant of the council or persons who would usually reside with them (excluding lodgers), and who are permanently resident in the household and who have a disability, which has a significant or serious long-term effect on their ability to:
     • carry out normal day-to-day activities in and around their home
     • and / or access essential facilities within their home
   • works for others living at the property such as lodgers, will only be carried out in exceptional circumstances and only if they have been resident with the tenant for more than 12 months
   • in exceptional circumstances occupants of supported accommodation provided under homeless duties and occupying via a non-secure tenancy will also be eligible for aids and adaptations
   • an applicant who is not a named tenant on the tenancy agreement, must be registered as living at the property for Council Tax purposes, and if aged over 18 years, they should be registered at that address on the electoral roll
     • therefore, adaptations will only be considered if the property is the main residence of the individual and they do not hold another tenancy or own another property.
     • the tenant must also intend to remain resident at the property for 5 years
     • consideration will be given to waiving this requirement where a tenant is on a fixed term tenancy and there is less than 5 years remaining
   • where a property used to provide temporary accommodation under Part VII of the Housing Act 1988 (homeless duties) within the Housing Revenue Account and forms part of the council's social housing stock and the occupier has been offered the accommodation as they have a specific need for a Housing First property, Transitional Housing Scheme property, move on property or it is supported housing and there is an expectation they will remain in the property for two years, the council will consider the provision of adaptations in accordance with this policy - where the formal court action is in process to end the occupation of the property, adaptations will not be undertaken.

5.2. Adaptations for Children in Joint Residency Arrangements

1. In cases where a child is disabled, and the parents are separated, adaptation works will usually only be completed at the property of principal residence (normally the residence of the parent who is in receipt of child benefit for that child).

5.3.Adaptations to Facilitate Hospital Discharge

5.4. When will works not be approved?

1. Circumstances where requests to adapt a property will usually be refused include:
   • adaptations will not be undertaken where an Outright Possession Order has been applied for or been approved by the Courts or where the terms of a Suspended Possession Order have been breached and the Council has applied for an Outright Possession Order
   • where major adaptations are required, and the applicant is waiting for medical procedures, which will improve their mobility
     • the decision that the individual is not eligible will be reviewed once their recovery time is complete
     • temporary or minor adaptations will be considered during this interim period
   • requests for major adaptations will not normally be approved where a Right to Buy application has been received by the council - following completion of a Right to Buy sale, adaptations could, however, be considered under the council's Private Sector Adaptations Policy
   • where a tenant has applied for a move to an alternative property which meets their needs. Temporary or minor adaptations will be considered during this interim period
   • where any of the above applies, in some exceptional circumstances, for example where the applicant is receiving palliative care, or where essential works are required to meet the needs of disabled children some or all works will be permitted to be undertaken
2. In addition, where a tenant or the member of their household for whom adaptations are needed has no recourse to public funds, adaptation works will not be able to undertaken.
3. Where an adaptation is refused in accordance with this section, reasons for refusal will be provided to the applicant in writing along with details of how to appeal the decision.