Do You Need Planning Permission for a Stairlift?
Don’t let mobility issues stop you from enjoying every part of your home. With a stairlift, you can travel up and down your stairs in safety and comfort. Stairlifts can be installed on any staircase — and the process is quick and easy.
But one of the questions we regularly get asked is whether planning permission is required to install a stairlift. You’ll find the answer to this question and more in this month’s article.
Do I need planning permission to install a stairlift?
It is extremely unlikely that you will need planning permission to install a stairlift.
Stairlift installation does not require any structural changes to be made to a property, and therefore planning permission is almost never required.
Stairlifts are installed by fitting a stairlift track to the floor, so there’s no need to even drill into the walls. And thanks to innovation in stairlift design and installation, stairlifts can be fitted to all types of staircases, including curved staircases and bespoke staircases.
The only time planning permission may be required is if the installation is being carried out in a listed property. This is because there tend to be stricter regulations regarding any changes or additions made to listed buildings. Check to confirm that your property isn’t a listed building before pursuing stairlift installation.
What do building regulations say?
The Building Regulations 2015 states that stairs in new build homes must be a minimum width of 850mm tall to accommodate the future installation of a stairlift. This means that new build homes will always have staircases of a suitable width to fit a stairlift.
If you have an older home with a particularly narrow stairlift, you can still get a stairlift installed by choosing a narrow stairlift model. These are stairlifts that have been specifically designed for use on narrow staircases.
Can I install a stairlift in a rented property?
Though stairlift installation does not require any structural changes to be made to a property, you may still require permission from your landlord to make minor adaptations. The stairlift track does require a few holes to be made and a few bolts to be added — and this might be against the terms of your contract.
The best thing you can do is to speak to your landlord before going ahead with stairlift installation. Your landlord will most likely agree to the installation if you approach them politely and explain why you need the stairlift. However, failing to speak to your landlord beforehand could result in termination of your rental contract or serious legal trouble.
At Ideas in Action, we provide stairlift rentals, which are ideal for use in rental properties. With a stairlift rental, you can enjoy a stairlift for as long as you stay in the property, and then we’ll retrieve it once you no longer need it or choose to move out.
Can I install a stairlift myself?
To guarantee safe and functional use of the stairlift, we strongly recommend using an experienced stairlift installer to install your stairlift.
Ideas in Action provides installation of stairlifts from top manufacturers such as Handicare. We offer new stairlifts and reconditioned stairlifts for customers across the Midlands. Our team offers professional installation and ongoing advice, servicing and support to ensure your stairlift is safe and functional.
Contact our team today to find out how we can help you.