Adapt your home for disability

Stairs

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. 

Bannisters

  • We will replace a bannister if there is only one and it does not offer suitable support.
  • We will add a bannister on both sides if you need more support.

Stairlift or stairclimber

  • We will fit a stairlift or provide a stairclimber if you cannot use stairs, even with a walking aid or additional bannister or if your carer is at risk when helping you on the stairs.
  • We will fit a stairlift or provide a stairclimber if you can use it safely on your own or with a carer who lives with you (we may fund one formal training session). We may review this and if we have any safety concerns we may remove the stairlift or stairclimber. 
  • We will fit a stairlift if it is an appropriate and cost effective way to access your bedroom and bathroom upstairs. 
  • We will not fit a stairlift if, according to health and safety standards, there is not enough space at the top and the bottom of the stairs for you to safely get on and off the lift, either on your own or with support. 
  • We will not fit a stairlift if you can use rooms downstairs as a bedroom and bathroom.
  • We will not fit a stairlift on a communal stairway. 
  • We will not pay for redecoration or replacing floor coverings, bannisters or radiators due to installation or removal of a stairlift or use of a stairclimber. If we have to move or remove a radiator or bannister to fit a stairlift we will seek support for the cost of this either through your landlord or the Home Improvement Grant. 

Stairclimber = a mobile transporter to move you up or down stairs, either in a wheelchair or a seat on the stair climber operated by a carer.
Stairlift = a powered lift that transports you over a set of stairs in a seated or supported position. They can be straight or curved.

Lift

  • We may fit a lift if you cannot use stairs and a stairlift or stairclimber is not suitable.
  • We will fit a lift if you can use it safely on your own or with a carer now and in the future. 
  • We will fit a lift it is an appropriate and cost effective way to access your bedroom and bathroom upstairs. 
  • We will not fit a lift if, according to health and safety standards, there is not enough space for you to get in and out of the lift, either on your own or with support. 
  • We will not fit a lift if you can use rooms downstairs as a bedroom and bathroom.

Removing a lift

  • If you own your house or rent it privately we may support you to apply for a Home Improvement Grant to pay for the lift to be installed. The lift will then become the property of the owner and they are responsible to maintain and remove it and redecorate. 
  • If you live in a council property we will remove the lift when it is no longer required. The ceiling and upper floor will be repaired but we will not redecorate the area. 
  • If you live in a Housing Association property you will need to check their policies about removal and redecoration. 

 

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

 

Related pages