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Equality Act 2010

Part 13: Disability: Miscellaneous

Section 189: Reasonable adjustments
Effect

601.This section applies the supplementary provisions on reasonable adjustments set out in Schedule 21 to the fields of services, premises, work, education and associations where a person providing a service or delivering functions, an employer or an education provider, or an association is required to consider reasonable adjustments to premises which it rents and would require the landlord’s consent to proceed.

Section 190: Improvements to let dwelling houses
Effect

602.This section provides a procedure for a disabled tenant or occupier of rented residential premises to seek consent to make a disability-related improvement to the premises where the lease allows a tenant to make an improvement only with the consent of the landlord. The landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent, but may place reasonable conditions on the consent. A landlord who refuses consent must set out the reasons for that refusal. In deciding whether a refusal or condition is unreasonable, the onus is on the landlord to show that it is not. This section applies to all leases of residential property used as the occupier’s or tenant’s only or main residence, other than a protected tenancy, a statutory tenancy or a secure tenancy. That is because similar rights already apply in respect of those tenancies under the Housing Acts 1980 and 1985.

603.This section applies only in England and Wales.

Background

604.This section replaces similar provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Examples
  • A disabled tenant who has mobility problems asks her landlord to consent to the installation of a walk-in shower and a grab rail to help her use the lavatory. Her landlord refuses consent. It would be for the landlord to give reasons for the refusal, and to show that it was not unreasonable.

  • The landlord consents to the fitting of the grab rail and shower, on condition that their colour matches the other bathroom fittings, and that they must be removed if the disabled person moves out of the property. These might be reasonable conditions, but it is for the landlord to show that they are.

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