Stairlift Grants for Tenants and Council Housing

You don’t have to own your home to get help with stairlift funding. Tenants including those in council or housing association properties may still qualify for grants and support to make their home safer and more accessible.

This page explains what grants are available for tenants, how council housing works differently, and what you need to know before applying.

Key Takeaways

• Tenants can apply for stairlift grants as well as homeowners
• Council and housing association tenants often have additional support routes
• Permission from the landlord is usually required
• Funding is based on need, not tenancy type
• An assessment is usually required before approval

The Short Answer: Can Tenants Get Stairlift Grants?

Yes. Tenants may qualify for stairlift grants if:

• Stairs are unsafe due to disability or mobility issues
• An assessment confirms the adaptation is necessary
• The landlord agrees to the work

This applies to:

• Private tenants
• Council tenants
• Housing association tenants

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for Tenants

The Disabled Facilities Grant is the main funding route for tenants needing home adaptations.

What It Can Cover

• Stairlifts
• Installation and fitting
• Associated adaptation work

Who Can Apply

• Private renters
• Council tenants
• Housing association tenants

Eligibility depends on assessment and (for adults) means testing.

Council Housing & Housing Associations

Council Tenants

If you live in council housing:

• The council may act as both landlord and funding body
• Adaptations may be arranged directly
• Funding decisions are still based on need

The process may be simpler because permission is internal.

Housing Association Tenants

If you rent from a housing association:

• Permission is required from the landlord
• The association may help arrange adaptations
• Some associations have their own funding schemes

Processes vary by provider.

Private Tenants: What to Know

Private tenants:

• Can apply for DFG funding
• Must get written permission from the landlord
• May need reassurance that the stairlift can be removed later

Many stairlifts are removable with minimal impact.

How Permission from the Landlord Works

Landlords are usually asked to:

• Confirm consent for the adaptation
• Agree to installation conditions
• Understand removal responsibilities

Councils often help manage this process.

How Eligibility Is Assessed

Councils assess:

• Safety and mobility needs
• Suitability of the property
• Length of tenancy
• Financial circumstances (for adults)

An occupational therapist usually makes recommendations.

What If the Landlord Refuses?

If permission is refused:

• Ask for a clear reason
• Explore alternative adaptations
• Consider whether removal after tenancy would help
• Ask the council for advice

Councils may help negotiate solutions.

What Grants Usually Don’t Cover

As with homeowners, grants usually don’t cover:
Optional upgrades
Work started before approval
Ongoing stairlift servicing

Only essential adaptations are funded.

Applying as a Tenant

Step 1: Contact Your Local Council

Ask about home adaptations or Disabled Facilities Grants.

Step 2: Request an Assessment

An OT will assess your needs and the property.

Step 3: Secure Landlord Permission

This is usually handled alongside the application.

Step 4: Approval and Installation

Once approved, installation can be arranged.

What the law says about adaptations in rented homes

Two pieces of legislation matter most for tenants.

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on landlords, letting agents and councils to make reasonable adjustments so disabled people can use their services. In housing, this can include agreeing to changes that help a disabled tenant live safely at home.

The reasonable adjustments duty does have limits. It doesn’t generally require a landlord to alter or remove “physical features” of a property, such as making structural changes, removing walls or widening doorways.

This distinction actually helps when you’re thinking about stairlifts.

A typical stairlift is fixed to the staircase treads instead of the wall. It can be removed, with the track taken away and the fixings made good afterwards. It’s usually reversible and doesn’t permanently alter the structure. So it tends to sit more comfortably within what a landlord can reasonably agree to than, say, knocking through a wall.

Every property and tenancy is different, though. It’s always worth getting the arrangement agreed clearly and in writing.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 adds to this picture by supporting reasonable requests from tenants for changes to their home, including accessibility adaptations. Landlords can still attach conditions when they agree, for example asking that the change is reversible or that the property is returned to its original state at the end of the tenancy. Getting these expectations set out in advance protects both sides.

When a permanent stairlift is not an option: renting the equipment

Sometimes buying and fitting a stairlift permanently is not the right fit, perhaps because the need is temporary, a grant is still being processed, or a landlord prefers a shorter commitment. In these situations, renting a stairlift can be a sensible middle ground. Rental agreements are typically flexible with no fixed contract, and they usually include installation, servicing and removal, which removes a lot of the uncertainty for both tenant and landlord.

Because a rented stairlift is designed to be installed and later removed, it can be easier to agree with a landlord who is cautious about longer-term changes. It also suits people recovering from surgery or waiting for a longer-term solution to be arranged. Our guide to renting a stairlift in the UK explains how the agreements work and what is included.

Important Things to Remember

• Never install a stairlift before approval
• Always get landlord consent in writing
• Keep all paperwork
• Ask about removal at end of tenancy

Planning ahead helps avoid delays.

Get Support from Stairlift Guru

At Stairlift Guru, we help tenants understand stairlift grants and navigate landlord permissions and council processes clearly.

Renting and Need Support?

If you’re a tenant worried about stairlift funding or landlord permission, understanding your rights and options is the first step.

We’re here to help with no pressure and no obligation.

If you’re exploring funding options for tenants in council housing, our complete stairlift grants guide walks through all the support available and how it works, stairlift grants guide.

For insight into who qualifies and eligibility rules, check out who qualifies for stairlift grants.

You might also find our disabled facilities grant explained article useful for understanding a key source of government support.

Prefer to watch? Our video guide covers the key points: