Adapt your home for disability

Outside your home

We will ensure, where feasible, you have one accessible access into your home. 

The homeowner/landlord must give permission for any adaptation and if it is for a communal area we will need permission from the other homeowners/landlords. 

Maintenance, removal and making good of adaptations are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord.

To request a repair to a Midlothian Council property please contact the Housing Team. 

Paths

  • We will not provide, repair or replace rails along paths.
  • We will not create a path to access the garden.

Access steps

  • We may alter one set of steps into your home to make them wider or shallower to make them easier to use. 
  • We will not modify steps if you have a medical condition that will deteriorate.

Rails at your door

  • We will only fit a rail at one door into your home.
  • We may fit two rails if you are at significant risk.  
  • We may fit a rail at another door to access a washing lin or bins if you don't have anyone else who can help with this.

Ramp and stairclimber

We will only fit a ramp or provide a stairclimber if you meet NHS criteria for a wheelchair and if all the main areas of your house are, or can be, wheelchair accessible.

  • We will only fit a ramp at one entrance to your home, at the most cost effective point.
  • We may recommend a stairclimber instead of a ramp - due to steep gradient, lack of space or it is not cost effective. 
  • We will not provide a stairclimber if we have concerns that you or your carer may not be able to operate or maintain it in the future. 
  • We will not fit a ramp, shelter or charging facility for a battery powered scooter.
  • We will not fit a ramp if you can negotiate steps into your home, on your own, with equipment or with a carer. 

You may need a building warrant to fit or remove a ramp. The homeowner/landlord is responsible for this. 

Steplift

  • We may fit a steplift if a ramp or stairclimber is not feasible.

Fence and gate

  • We will not fit external fences or gates

Driveways

You may be eligible for a Disabled Person's Parking Place or an Access Protection Marking. 

  • We will create a driveway if you are a driver, you have a Blue Badge and you are unable to walk or self-propel a wheelchair to a car at the kerb.
  • We will create a driveway if you are a passenger, you have a Blue Badge and have a substantial and permanent disability or challenging behaviour that would cause a risk to your safety and your carer is unable to support you safely to and from a car at the kerb.
  • We will drop the kerb as part of creating a driveway. The homeowner/landlord will need a permit from Road Services.
  • We will not create a driveway as a way to prevent vandalism, reduce the distance to a car or to ease on-street parking congestion.
  • We will not provide adaptations to cars, car seats or harnesses but can offer advice.

 

Other areas of support

  1. Outside your home
  2. Access in and out of your home
  3. Kitchen
  4. Bathroom
  5. Stairs
  6. Safety
  7. Hoists and furniture

 

Guidelines updated 2025

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