About Equipment and Adaptations to Property

We provide people who have a disability with pieces of equipment to use in their own homes to help them be as independent as possible in daily living tasks.  For example, rails around the toilet, or bathing equipment.   We can also arrange adaptations to property, for example, ramps and bathroom alterations.   We can also give advice on equipment and adaptations to property.

What you should know

• The adaptation must be at your only or main residence.
• The type of service we provide will depend on your disability and level of need, and the technical suitability of the property and site.
• If you are an owner/occupier, sometimes alternative housing may be the most practical solution to the difficulty.
• If you are a tenant, the Landlord may offer suitable alternative accommodation instead of adapting the property. 
• Normally, we wouldn’t adapt your house if you are considering moving or have made an application to move house.
• Owners and occupiers of other properties affected by your adaptation must give their permission for the adaptation. For example, if we were installing a ramp on a common pathway.

When will the Council consider providing equipment or making adaptations to properties?

You must be:

• a disabled person as defined in Section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948
• the equipment or the adaptation to property must be necessary to help you maintain or increase your ability to live as independently and safely as possible.

What sort of service will you get?

Normally, we will only carry out a major adaptation on one house for a disabled person.  We will not contribute towards adapting a subsequent house.  Sometimes we make exceptions to this rule, for example, in a case where you had to move to keep your job.

Charges

There is no charge for this service.

For more information, contact us at: 

communitycare@eastlothian.gov.uk