Housing adaptations. Landlord kinda refusing.

You need to do what the landlord said and go to the agents and check your tenancy agreement to see if it contains clauses regarding disability adaptions to your home as it is a grey area regarding your landlords duties

Hi @crocodillie

Thanks to @Pippa_Scope for inviting me to join this conversation.

OK, this can all be a bit confusing but I will attempt to clarify.

Landlords do have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 not to give disabled tenants a lesser service because of their disability but they only have to make adjustments that are reasonable. There isn't a definitive list of what is reasonable and what isn't, so basically it has to be negotiated on a case by case basis. This link is to a document that explains this in more detail: 
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/discrimination-in-housing/what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination-in-housing/discrimination-in-housing-adaptations-to-your-home/

The reality is that many landlords will do the absolute minimum and some will find a reason not to continue the tenancy rather than either make reasonable adjustments themselves, or even give their permission for the property to be adapted by the tenant via Disabled Facilities Grant, etc.

It sounds as if your landlord is uncertain of this duty with regards to the Equality Act and so referred you to the estate agent because he pays them a management fee and so expects them to know about legal stuff and advise him accordingly. You might decide to print copies of the Citizen Advice factsheet for your landlord/estate agent so that everyone has a shared understanding.  

It is disappointing that your landlord is not being cooperative but not unusual. If it is important for you to remain in this property you may wish to proceed with caution. You need to be clear what exactly the minimum you are willing to accept is. Are permanent adaptations to the property necessary? If you could manage with non-permanent adaptations you wouldn't need to involve your landlord/estate agent at all. For example:

• Does the current bath need to be replaced or would you be able to safely manage if (temporary) grab handles were installed in the bathroom https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/bath-grab-rails/bath-grab-rail , and maybe a bathboard? https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/bath-boards/?adgroup=bath board with handle&device=c&query=bath board with handles&msclkid=cfc47a17fee1186c547621465cd9100e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=KW - Bathroom | MOO 4NG&utm_term=bath board with handle&utm_content=bath board with handle
• could you manage with the current taps if you used tap turners? https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/kitchen-aids/tap-turners/
• Could you avoid changing all the doorknobs for lever handles if you used door knob turners? examples   https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/kitchen-aids/tap-turners/

I totally understand that temporary solutions like those I have suggested above are not necessarily as convenient or as aesthetically pleasing as permanent adaptations but they might avoid a lot of hassle with your landlord and because they are portable you can take them with you should you need to move in the future. This sort of equipment can often be supplied via the OT from what is normally known as the 'small equipment budget' i.e things totaling less than £1000 

Obviously, your OT will prefer not to have to fund things from her limited budget and would much rather your landlord sorted things from his own pocket so you might need to argue your case.

You may decide that you can't manage with temporary adaptations/aid and need permanent adaptations to the home. If your landlord refuses to do the work but is willing to give permission for it to be done then the OT might be able to arrange it, funded by Disabled Facilities Grant Scheme - DFG (depending on your circumstances).  DFG can take up to a year to be completed from when they are agreed. The OT can only agree to DFG applications that come within the terms of the scheme, these include the work having to be the most cost effective means possible to met the assessed needs. Hence, it is often suggested that people try bath aids first before mayor changes to the bathroom will be agreed.

Best Wishes

Jean