Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Team from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.
Tenants Fear Landlord Barriers to Home Adaptations, Survey Finds
More than a third of tenants would worry about securing their landlord’s permission if their home needed adapting to support a loved one, research has found. The concern comes before any request has been refused, and the survey measures what both private and social renters fear might stand in their way.
Habinteg Housing Association carried out the research, according to Property118. The findings point to widespread apprehension among tenants about requesting home adaptations, even before any formal approach to a landlord.
The survey covered both private and social renters, so the fear of landlord barriers is not confined to one segment of the rental market. For letting agents and inventory clerks, tenant concerns about property modifications may be a common undercurrent in tenancy relationships.
The research does not specify which barriers tenants anticipate. That more than a third would worry about securing permission suggests communication and clarity around adaptation requests could be an area where agents and landlords can offer reassurance. The source material does not detail the reasons behind the fear or the types of adaptations tenants had in mind.
For letting agents, the finding may prompt consideration of how adaptation requests are handled and whether tenants feel informed about their rights and their landlord’s obligations. Inventory clerks may also note that approved adaptations could affect property condition reporting and check-out processes.
The research does not provide further breakdowns by region, property type or demographic, nor does it include direct quotes from tenants or Habinteg representatives. The headline finding remains the primary takeaway: a significant proportion of tenants harbour concerns about landlord permission for home adaptations before any request is made.
Source: Property118