Flat door accessibility

Noggins93

Hi everyone, hope your weekends are all going well

I am a wheelchair user and having some accessibility problems with my ground floor flat because of the weight and mechanism style of the doors (both flat door and building door). 

I am planning to write to the building company but just any advice on what their obligations are in line with building regulations would be great!

It is a new build purchased around October time 2021, mainly by my partner but I am also on the mortgage.  We have asked them to look in to solutions and mentioned it on our snagging (all of our other issues were dealt with except this). Then on a follow up call they first said they would pass it on then months later said we would need to contact the site manager ourselves in writing. 

It’s mainly the building door I am concerned with as am willing to look in to adaptations we can make inside the flat (though any legal advice on whether we could get our own lighter weight fire closers would be appreciated- have also looked at automatic openers and am saving up but very expensive!). 

There are 2 building entrances, 1 is not level access but has a fob to unlock the manual door . The other is level access but has a key turn outside and thumb turn inside which makes it impossible for me to turn the key/thumb turn, grip the door handle and operate my wheelchair to operate the door at the same time. The door handle is placed where I would need to reach up to it if I was trying to use it as well. Also strength and joint instability wise I struggle with the doors because the fire closers make it very heavy. 

Ideally I think adjusting the slope of the paving up to the door with the fob so it’s also level would be inexpensive for Persimmon and eliminate a great deal of the problem. In an ideal world there would also be an automatic opener Or lighter weight fire closer to counteract the weight issue while still keeping it fire safe.

Even a large handle at my level on the manual key door would be better than nothing. 

Thank you for your time and apologies for such a long post. Any advice or signposting would be hugely appreciated! All the best!

L_Volunteer

Hi @Noggins93. Hope your weekend is going well too. Apologies that no one has responded to you sooner.

How have things been for you more recently? I would like to make sure you have access to the support you need and deserve but things might have changed since.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to help. We are all here for you 

Noggins93

Hi @L_Volunteer, thank you so much for your kind reply. 

I haven’t made any further progress on this as don’t really know where to start to be honest! If there is any advice/ signposting available I’d massively appreciate it but I understand it’s a tricky situation! 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Noggins93 and thanks for letting us know how things are going. I also have trouble with doors, as a wheelchair user myself, it can be so frustrating.

Ideally I think adjusting the slope of the paving up to the door with the fob so it’s also level would be inexpensive for Persimmon and eliminate a great deal of the problem. In an ideal world there would also be an automatic opener Or lighter weight fire closer to counteract the weight issue while still keeping it fire safe.

Even a large handle at my level on the manual key door would be better than nothing.

This sounds like a sensible solution in my book, but of course making it a reality is another thing altogether! I have a key turn/thumb turn communal door where I live too, and I find I have to throw myself around a bit to catch the handle and pull it open to get out. Luckily it's not too heavy. A fob door is much easier as you say!

Have you been in touch with your local authority or citizens advice at all? I know that there are Disabled Facilities Grants to help with adaptions inside your home, such as wet rooms for example, but I'm not sure whether this extends to your door, or any communal doors. 

I'm sorry I can't be of more help right now, but do keep us up to date with how you get on if you can. How are you finding living in your flat otherwise at the moment?

Alex

Noggins93

Thank you for this, @Alex_Scope That doesn’t sound ideal having to throw yourself around! 

I’m going to try reopening the conversation with the building company and go from there I think. Hopefully they’ll be receptive! 

I’ve spoken to Citizen’s Advice but they weren’t too sure about any of it. 

I think looking in to the facilities grant is a good idea. I’ve been hesitant in case we upsize before the time limit but definitely something to ponder!

thank you again 😊

Noggins93

Thank you @wendy41, that was a useful read 😊

L_Volunteer

Glad you found it a useful read @Noggins93. If we can do anything else to help please don't hesitate to let us know 

Noggins93

Thank you, @L_Volunteer 😊

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @Noggins93. How are you at the moment? 

Piglets12

I have same issues my door in my flat won't open fully because of the arm it's so stiff I bruised myself and made my spine worse this is in my powerchair. I transfer to a manual and can not get out with out a family member or my support worker.

I am a full time wheelchair user and transfer so slow..

Then the next door to the post room is lighter and opens fully then there's double doors which are to narrow to go out one so I there trying to get out both. Then there's the outer metal door!

Well I have ripped the arms of my chair in and out on the handle losing them causes me to take chunks out my own skin. Has again fast shutting.

They emailed me to say basically they won't come to sort.

My OT trying to get me buttons to press on my flat and will close slower. But we not sure who owns main building for permission for me to get the grant.

But been here 2 months nothing been done at all!

Because I am a wheelchair user it's down to my landlord has I had to private rent. Evern for the wet room to be put in has cancelled not access the shower.

I have no social worker no advocate and no one to help me right to someone.

I need someone to help me right a reasonable adjustments letter to my estate lettings agent but if I do can they kick me out complaining what are my rights?

Holly_Scope

@Piglets12 I am so sorry to hear about your housing situation. It sounds like you've had an awful time trying to gain the support you need.

I don't have enough knowledge myself to advise unfortunately, but I've added several links and next steps which you could try for some additional support in getting these issues resolved.

Landlords, disabled talents and adaptations

Getting support drafting a reasonable adjustments letter

Next steps:

• Reach out for advocacy support. Could try contacting Citizens Advice for help drafting the letter and understanding their rights
• Contact their Local Authority for a Disabled Facilities Grant or Care Act assessment to explore further help
• Keep written records and document all communication with landlords or agents as this will support their case if they need to escalate it

Landlords, disabled tenants and adaptations | Disability charity Scope UK

The obligations of landlords to make adaptations for disabled tenants under the Equality Act 2010.

I hope that these options help and that this is resolved soon.

All the best,

Holly.