Can't buy an apartment because of lack of storage for my power chair.

Malcolm

Firstport who control the apartment block where my wife and I want to buy an apartment in a block of 40 apartments supply a shelter for chairs and scooters big enough for four appliances.  This shelter is full and I have been told that there is no more storage available.  If we were to live there we both need our power chairs to get to places in Market Harborough as we are both disabled so are we being discriminated against by Firstport because we want to buy this apartment and are prevented from doing so by their unfair restrictions.  We would be prepared to pay for the erection of a storage facility for the power chairs.

Sam_Alumni

@Foy do you have any information or support for @Malcolm ?

There is also a lot of information about Independent Living and Housing that could be interesting reading for you Malcolm.

Best of luck

Sam

Foy

Good morning Malcolm,  this isn't something that I have actually come across before.  As Sam mentions First port will have certain obligations regarding the provision of secure space to store chairs and scooters. If you haven't done this already, I would suggest speaking directly to the site manager (or equivalent position) who is responsible for the building, and discuss your situation with him/her.  That way hopefully you can come up with a solution, there may be somewhere else in the building that you can store your power chairs until space frees up.  
  I am sorry I don't have anything specific to suggest, best of luck with it.
Danny Foy
foys property search

Sam_Alumni

Thanks @Foy for that.

@Malcolm who have you tried speaking to so far?

Malcolm

I have spoken to the lady manager who in turn discussed with customer services at First Port who said they could not provide accommodation for 2 more vehicles.  I went to the CAB and they did not think that it amounted to discrimination.

Sam_Alumni

That's really tough @Malcolm

Could you ask them if there is any other way around it? Like @foy said, is there somewhere else in the building that you can store your power chairs until space frees up? 

Rainbow_wheelz16

Hi there. is there any possibility you could change the powerchairs you have to something that is easier to store, such as a foldable scooter, or the alber efix wheels. I have these myself and they convert a manual wheelchair to powered. You might be able to purchase some second hand from eBay. Either way, you would probably then have enough room to keep them in your apartment.

Malcolm

Thanks for that.  I was surprised at how expensive they are  though, but will give them some thought however.  We are going back to have another look tomorrow.