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New adaptations guidance aims to educate landlords
New adaptations guidance has been launched for private landlords to help them better manage tenant requests for home adaptations .
The guidance helps explain to landlords the different types of adaptations , sources of funding , and provides advice on how to manage works , as well as directing landlords on to other important sources of guidance including RCOT ’ s Adaptations without delay , all aimed at raising the low levels of knowledge about adaptations in the landlord sector .
The guidance has been published by the National Residential Landlords Association ( NRLA ), which represents over 90,000 private residential landlords . The guidance was developed with input from experts at many bodies , including the RCOT Specialist Section – Housing .
The guidance forms part of a wider campaign by the NRLA , which calls for greater co-operation between landlords and local authorities to resolve the urgent need for more adapted private rented accommodation . The 2018 review into disabled facility grants found that 10 per cent of applications were discontinued because a landlord or owner refused permission .
A report that accompanies the new guidance includes a survey of NRLA members , with four in five surveyed landlords having no knowledge about disabled facility grants , and only half willing to let to someone with accessibility needs . However , finding out about grants greatly increased landlord willingness to allow adaptations .
The cost of undertaking works and later removing adaptations at the end of a tenancy were seen as major barriers , as was an expected lack of rental income during adaptations , although the vast majority of grants can be carried out while tenants remain in place .
Meera Chindooroy , NRLA deputy director of campaigns , said : ‘ Many tenants report they are unable to access adapted properties in the private rented sector , but at the same time our research suggests that there has been a lack of engagement with landlords on this issue .
‘ The acute problems facing those with accessibility needs requires urgent attention , and it is imperative that steps are taken now to ensure that a challenge doesn ’ t become a crisis for the sector .
‘ With data from a range of sources showing the extent to which the housing market needs to respond to the UK ’ s ageing population , now is the time for local authorities to work with private landlords to encourage the provision of more adapted rented properties .’
Read the guidance at : www . nrla . org . uk / campaigns / adaptations .
4 in 5
surveyed landlords have no knowledge of disabled facilities grants
( source : NRLA )
Health inequalities , rehabilitation and more on agenda for RCOT ’ s first virtual annual conference
The first plenary speakers for RCOT ’ s first ever virtual annual conference have been announced .
Professor Sally Singh from the University of Leicester will talk about rehabilitation and recovery , while Alexis Quinn from the Restraint Reduction Network will talk from personal experience about the systemic pressures that exist in both the inpatient and mental health system and the community for autistic people ( see page 14 ).
Professor Sir Michael G Marmot , the expert on health inequality and author of 2010 ’ s Marmot Review , will discuss how reducing health inequalities is a matter of social justice , while Professor Bruce Hood from the University of Bristol will discuss his highly successful university course The Science of Happiness and what we can learn from the neuroscience that underpins it ( see page 14 ).
held .
An equality , diversion and inclusion panel will also be
More speakers for the RCOT Insights sessions , where RCOT staff illuminate key issues in occupational therapy today , have also been announced . Dr Jo Watson , RCOT assistant director – education and research and Dr Gillian Ward , RCOT research and development manager , will be addressing the top 10 research priorities for the profession , following their setting with the James Lind Alliance last year .
RCOT ’ s education team will be looking at how members can support practice-based learning as a CPD opportunity .
And Genevieve Smyth , one of RCOT ’ s professional advisers , will hold a panel discussion about occupational therapy in primary care and how members can move into it .
They join sessions already announced on advancing practice , health inequalities and green occupational therapy ( see page 14 ).
Members can book a ticket now for the event , which will be held on Wednesday 30 June and Thursday 1 July with some content available in advance . A ticket offers on-demand access to the two-day event ’ s full
programme , both during and after the conference , ensuring members don ’ t have to miss a thing . The programme includes interactive sessions , informative discussions , skills exchanges and demonstrations .
Find out more and purchase a ticket at : www . rcot . co . uk / annual-conference .
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