Bathroom Refurbishment Feature
Adapt to changing market needs
Robin Tuffley of Closomat discusses why it’s so important for landlords to make their homes – particularly bathrooms – accessible for all and what changes can be made
landlords can ensure their properties are address those market changes. We are all well aware there we need more houses, and more people are
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renting – the figure in the PRS sector has risen from 2.8 million to 4.5 million in a decade. In social housing, the demand for homes for older people is 10 times higher than current availability. Set alongside that, more older people are now renting than in the past –
the 45-54 year age group represents 16 per cent of the market, compared to 11 per cent just a few years ago. Our disabled population is also growing – people are living longer, and needing more alterations to their home to enable them to remain in it; people who were either born with a disability or became disabled through life-changing incident are similarly living longer as a result of medical advances. It’s about a move from affordable homes to accessible homes, homes that
enable people of all ages and abilities to live in an appropriate environment: adapting to provide a lifetime home. Indeed, a YouGov poll found that 75 per cent of people felt all new homes should be built to be accessible to all ages and abilities, so it is something the market wants. What few people are aware of is that, with existing properties, subject to
certain qualifying criteria, the landlord can apply for Government funding under the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to undertake that adaptive work. Up to £30,000 may be available. There are moves afoot to simplify this whole process, and reduce or remove one of the current qualification of five or more years’ residence in the property. Research shows that if someone needs alterations to their home to continue
to live as independently as possible, the bathroom is the room most frequently adapted. Alongside that, there have been two important documents published in recent months that affect the rental housing market. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ ‘Adaptations Without Delay’
provides a new framework to transfer the focus of adaptations to a person- centred outcome, to simplify and re-prioritise the process to enable more timely, proportionate solutions. Changes such as installing a level access shower could now be classed as a simple, straightforward alteration whereas historically it was viewed as a major adaptation, depending on the specific environment. Further, an all-party parliamentary group inquiry into decent and accessible
homes is highlighting the importance of universal design in housing provision. It states “many older people do not like the idea of being stuck with poorly designed and unappealing aids and equipment. One approach… is to take a universal design approach towards products and services to make them suitable and appealing to all age groups”. Fixtures such as wash and dry toilets are a perfect example of how those
issues can be addressed. As a fitting, they are becoming more mainstream, and aspirational. A wash and dry toilet gives enhanced cleanliness and hygiene over
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM October/November 2019 | 37
he rental housing market – private and social – is experiencing significant change: not only are more people now renting, the demographic is shifting too. The bathroom is one key area where
Maintenance & Refurbishment
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