Overview
Home adaptations can help people who are disabled to live independently in their own homes. This information guide describes the help available that may help to pay for significant changes your home.
Housing adaptations can help you live safely and independently in your own home by:
- Reducing the risk of accidents at home.
- Reducing the need for home care or going into a care home.
People who are disabled may get help with a wide range of adaptations to their home. This includes, but not limited to:
- Replacing a bath with a level access shower.
- Making it easier to get into and out of the house by widening doors or making a ramp.
- Fitting lower worktops in a kitchen.
Home repairs, improvements and adaptations – Citizens Advice Scotland
Home Owners
As a starting point, contact your local authority social work department and ask for an Assessment of Need.
An assessment of need is usually carried out by an Occupational Therapist (O.T.)
Councils will only offer financial help if the assessment confirms that the adaptations are essential.
The Scheme of Assistance allows councils to decide what help to provide to home owners, which may be – advice and guidance, practical help, or financial assistance by way of grants or loans.
The scheme of assistance for house repairs and adaptations – Citizens Advice Scotland
Housing Association Tenants
Housing Associations can advise you about how to get an assessment and will let you know what support is available.
Housing Associations can carry out adaptations to a home if they feel the work is essential, and if there is funding available.
Sometimes it may not be possible to adapt a home to meet your needs. This may be because:
- There is not enough space to make the changes needed, or:
- The way the house is built makes it difficult or impossible to change.
The Housing Association may then suggest other solutions, such as moving to a different property.
Private tenants
If you are a private tenant you can:
- Contact your local authority for an assessment to see whether the changes needed to your home meet the conditions for essential work.
- You must ask for permission from your landlord.
- You should also say if you intend to put the property back to its original state when you leave.
- Your landlord must not ‘unreasonably refuse to give their consent’ (ie must not say no without very good reasons.)
- If your landlord does say no, they must tell you in writing why they have said no.
What if I want to do the adaptations myself?
- If you do not own your home, you will need to write to the council, housing association or private landlord to ask for permission first.
- Your landlord ‘cannot withhold their consent unreasonably’, but they can make certain conditions.
Some building work to a disabled person’s private home may also be VAT exempt. Call the VAT helpline for more information on 0300 200 3700 or contact us for a copy of our Claiming VAT exemption on disability products info guide.
Care and Repair
Care and Repair services operate throughout Scotland. They offer:
- Independent advice and assistance to help homeowners repair, improve or adapt their homes so that they can live in comfort and safety.
- The service is available to home-owners, private tenants and crofters who are aged over 60 or who have a disability.
- Some Care and Repair services also include home-owners of any age group with physical or mental disabilities, private rented sector and crofting tenants (particularly in the Highlands and Islands).
Contact Care and Repair services at http://www.careandrepairscotland.co.uk
Scottish Welfare Fund
You may be able to get a Community Care Grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund if:
- You are moving out of a care home, hospital or similar place and need to make minor improvements to your home so you can live there independently, or
- You need to get your home adapted so you can stay there instead of moving into a care home.
- You have to have a low income to be able to apply for a Community Care Grant
- To apply, contact your local council.
A list of telephone numbers and email addresses for each local council is available on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund/
Unhappy with the decision?
If you are not happy with the decision regarding your eligibility for a disabled home adaptation, you can complain to the council. To make a complaint, contact the person you last spoke to about it, or to the local authority’s Complaints Officer.
Get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau if you
Information last updated on 31 January 2024. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.
Aids, Equipment and Adaptations:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
How can I get an adaptation made to my house?
Housing adaptations can increase your independence and reduce the risk of an accident at home
If you or someone you live with is disabled you may qualify for help with adaptations such as:
- replacing a bath with a level access shower
- making it easier to get in and out of the house by widening doors or making a ramp
- fitting lower worktops in a kitchen
Smaller adaptions can also be made:
- fitting a grab rail
- a shower chair so you can shower more safely
To have an assessment of what help you qualify for, what may be free and what you may have to pay for, contact your local Social Work Department (or NHS Highland in Highland) and ask for a Care needs assessment.
For further information see our Disabled Home Adaptations Information Guide.
Am I eligible for VAT relief on disability equipment?
In general, disabled people do not have to pay VAT on goods and services that are designed or adapted solely for use by disabled people. These goods and services are often called zero-rated or eligible for VAT relief.
Most suppliers will know if their product has been specifically designed to help disabled people. They will offer their products free of VAT as you buy them.
You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet the conditions for zero rating. Your supplier may give you a form for this.
Most suppliers will use the Notice 701/7 VAT relief for disabled people form.
For further information see our VAT Exemption for Disabled Goods Information Guide or call our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
How do I hire a mobility scooter or wheelchair on holiday?
Shopmobility have members throughout the UK who rent out wheelchairs and scooters to help people access shopping centres and leisure activities. You can find a list of their members here Find a ShopMobility Centre | ShopMobility UK
In Wales, Northern Ireland and England you may be able to rent a wheelchair from the Red Cross Rent or hire a wheelchair | British Red Cross
The website Mobility Equipment Hire Direct connects you to commercial suppliers in the UK and across the world.
You can search for local providers in Scotland using our Scottish Disability Directory or contact us and one of our information workers can help you search.
For further information on hiring equipment away from home check out our Accessible Holidays Information Guide
I’m struggling getting in and out of my bath, is there any support that I can get?
People often call us because they are struggling with getting in and out of the bath. The first step would be to contact your local social work department (or NHS Highland in Highland) to arrange a care needs assessment. You might qualify for an adaptation such as a walk in shower in your bathroom. For more information see our Assessment of Needs Information Guide.
Aids, Equipment and Adaptations:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.