Adaptations

The nature of the work and timescales to complete the adaptation will be discussed during our pre-entry survey. The purpose of this is to discuss any requirements during the install. 

The time it takes to complete a major adaptation can vary significantly depending upon the nature of the work. For example, an adaptation such as a level-access shower should take approximately five days to complete, whereas a more significant adaptation like a through-floor lift and alteration to the layout of your home will take significantly longer.  

During the works you will have the contact details of the customer liaison officer who will be able to answer any questions you may have. Once completed, the works will be inspected by a surveyor from SLH to ensure they have been completed to our standards and are fit for purpose.  

In some cases, major adaptations cannot be completed.  This is because:

• Your home is not suitable for the works required
• There is an alternative home available that already has the adaptations required to suit your needs
• You have submitted a Right to Buy or Right to Acquire application
• You are on the transfer list
• Your home is scheduled for demolition or major refurbishment within one year of the request for the adaptation
• The adaptation fails the test of resources review carried out by Liverpool City Council as part of the DFG approval process

In most cases adaptations are prioritised in date order based on the date of application. However, in some instances priority will be given to applications such where:

• You or your family member cannot be discharged from hospital until the adaptation has been completed
• A risk assessment identifies it is not safe for you or your family member to continue to live in the home without the adaptation being completed

We understand that waiting for adaptation work to be completed can be stressful. Therefore, during the waiting period we will signpost you to advice and support, to help you live as safely and comfortably as possible while you wait for your adaptation to be completed.

Your rent will not increase unless your adaptation is to provide and additional room/rooms in your home.

If your adaptation is to provide an item of equipment such as a through-floor lift, a service charge will be applied to cover the cost of annual servicing, repairs, safety checks and insurance.

In both cases, your Neighbourhood Management Officer (NMO) will carry out an affordability assessment with you before the work begins and we will give you notice of a change of tenancy agreement to reflect the new costs.

Our application process is set out in our Allocations and Tenure policy and ensures that new homes are let according to the needs of tenants and their families.

Therefore, we will not consider an adaptation to our home in the first year of your tenancy, unless you or your family member have suffered a sudden deterioration in your health and wellbeing.

Adaptations for faith or cultural reasons will also not be considered within the first year unless external funding has been secured.

Where empty homes are identified as having suitable working major adaptations, they will be allocated in line with the Allocations Policy however to maximise the use of the home, the adaptations waiting list will also be reviewed to see if the home meets any of the needs of the tenants on this list.

If someone leaves a home where removable adaptations have been installed, we will inspect and service the adaptations before recycling the adaptation and use in another home. If you receive a recycled adaptation, we will let you know and give you the relevant servicing information before installation.