WE ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR TENANTS WITH ACCESSIBLE HOUSING NEEDS TO FIND THE RIGHT HOME

Charters Lettings is one of the first lettings agents in the UK to be accredited by The Accessible Lettings Scheme. Launched by AccessiblePRS in collaboration with Enham Trust, this powerful initiative is helping to remove barriers those with disabilities face when trying to find a home to rent. We’re understandably proud to be part of this vital initiative that’s designed to level the playing field for disabled renters.

The facts about accessible housing needs

• 8m households in England contain someone with a disability – 700,000 of those are in the top half of income demographics.
• There are 1.2m wheelchair users in the UK – more than 400,000 are living in unsuitable properties.
• 91% of wheelchair users surveyed by Abode Impact experience difficulties accessing the private rented sector (PRS).
• It can take over a year to find workable accommodation – that doesn’t necessarily mean suitable
• 1 in 4 people will be aged over 65 by 2036.
• Most lettings agents fail to include clear access information in their online property descriptions.

What Charters is doing to help disabled renters

We’re committed to making life easier for older and disabled tenants who live with mobility needs. Here’s how we’re doing it:

• Charters’ Lettings specialists are being trained and accredited by the Accessible Lettings Scheme to ensure we all have a thorough understanding of disabled renters’ needs.
• We’re committed to providing clear information about properties online that will pass ‘the 3am test’ – so disabled renters searching online in the middle of the night can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with a property viewing without having to ask us for further details first.
• We’re making properties easily searchable online by using key accessibility filters and key phrases.
• We’re including floorplans, video tours and photographs that indicate accessibility features.

Common accessibility features disabled renters need are step-free access, wider doors for wheelchair access and wheelchair accessible bathrooms and wet rooms. Also in demand are single-storey homes or lateral living spaces that have kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and at least one bedroom on the entry-level floor.

Whether you’re a tenant with accessible housing needs or a landlord who’d like advice on how to make your property more accessible for disabled renters, we can help.

Speak to our Lettings team today to find out how – please call us on 02382 358579.