Hi, my name is Rens72! I am looking for advice concerning the safe storage of my mobility scooter...

Rens72

Hi there I am looking for advice concerning the safe storage of my mobility scooter in my rented accommodation. I live in sheltered accommodation, I have a one-bedroom flat and I use a mobility scooter due to my disabilities. It is no longer possible for me to store my scooter inside my flat (too heavy and awkward to manuever over carpet, causes me excessive pain) and it currently parked at the end of the corridor outside my flat where it causes no obstruction whatsoever. The corridor is a dead end with just a window that can't be opened.

My housing officer has been very kind and has been trying to find a solution for my mobility scooter to be stored but unfortunately Health and Safety is causing an issue: they are suggesting that I store my scooter outside the building, either in the garden shed or under a rain cover, which is unacceptable and which will not be covered by my insurance for theft or accidental damage. Mobility scooters need to be kept in a dry temperature controlled environment. Personally I'm thinking that this is becoming a discrimination issue. There are only two of us in this building who use mobility scooters, myself and one other gentleman of approximately 80 years old. He has a car and still drives, but I do not have a car and my mobility scooter is my only transport. His scooter is of the small folding kind whereas mine is a big one but not one that can be used on roads.

I'm currently drafting an email to send via my housing officer to the health and safety committee and I would like any advice regarding my rights and whether this is becoming a discrimination issue.