buying a new house and adapting it for a wheelchair user

iceburn

Got a question for you people. My wife father has just suffer from a stroke and even before the stroke, was not really mobile. Currently in hospital now recovering but look like wont be able to move again :-(. So family now looking at buying a new house due to the fact need constant assistance, space etc.

We had been looking at 4 bedroom houses which will be quite easy to adapt for his need, for example can convert the dining room to a bedroom with shower / bath for example. We throught about a 3 bedroom house with a integral garage. Would than convert the garage as a bedroon with shower / bath. But here is the question one of the sales rep from the developer we visited, said that until development is completed can not actually convert garages / add extensions etc... They have a second charge on property (dont know how that will work if paying cash but beside the point.) (also thinking about buying 2 two bedroom houses next to one other and knock the walls between them.)

So if that is true with most new properties development than what about making the steps to the property (if it have one) a slope? Cause all these adapations will be for disable reasons not just for lifestyle reasons, is there an expection?

Which bring to my last question, if one want to convert a dining room into a bedroom + shower (or extend downstairs WC to have shower) need planning permission (or likewise to lower the steps outside) can one put planning application in for the change, put the £500 reserve fee for the plot and have it part of the condition of change of contract that it will only go through if planning application is granted?

I know other option we can do is do self build, but if there is any other options I am all ears / eyes.

Savvy_Sue

I thought most new developments these days were meant to have at least some disability friendly properties included? Although I have to say it may be less likely that they'll have four bedrooms.

iceburn

well some had say the same house plan with a slope to the house, whilst steps leading to the front door on other plot. Some did say the internal doors are now wider probably due to what you are saying and likewise must have a clockroom now downstairs. but havent found any with a downstairs bedroom and only one have a shower on ground floor. Cause if it is number of bedrooms can if have a bedroom + shower downstairs can get that as a 2 bedroom house and get other 2 bedroom house next door and knock the wall (if attached) or just live close by. One did say new developments need to include at least some affordility housing on their developments.

longhotbath

Hi - have you spoken to the council - sometimes disability adaptations can go through a little easier due to 'sepecial rules'.

Most new developments will include some disability friendly housing, but round here they tend to be 2 bed bungalows. If you talk to the developer and the council, they may be able to change some of the specs on the house that you are interested in, and you used to have changes made at the time of build exempt from VAT, though that may have now changed.


Have you contacted his Occupational therapy department or Social services - they will have come across the need for thses changes very frequently, so ask for their input into making the house suitable for your father in law.

If looking to convert a garage - you may need to extend behind or sideways to give him enough room - the council will have measurements that need to be adhered to. lso check for load brearing walls, and the strength of the roof joists for hoisting/tracking and wall mounted equipment.

I hope he recovers well and soon, and wish you all, the best for the future.

Oldernotwiser

Sorry if I've missed something but wouldn't it be simpler either to buy a bungalow or a bungalow with a loft conversion that's left bedroom/bathroom facilities on the ground floor?

longhotbath

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Sorry if I've missed something but wouldn't it be simpler either to buy a bungalow or a bungalow with a loft conversion that's left bedroom/bathroom facilities on the ground floor?

Thats a brilliant idea.

Savvy_Sue

iceburn wrote: »

One did say new developments need to include at least some affordility housing on their developments.

that is also true.

TBH, your question is something I would think long and hard about for the longer as well as the shorter term. I get the impression that you are planning to share this house with your in-laws, which is never a thing to go into lightly. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn't.

If your FIL doesn't recover, will you / MIL want to carry on living together forever?

Would something with a 'granny annexe' work better than a full-on house share?

Whatever adaptations you make, it's a good idea to try and make them in such a way that the house will appeal to a wide market in the future, rather than JUST those dealing with disabilities.

Bob_Bridges

Don't rush into any decisions.
See how the recovery in hospital goes first before you start buying houses.

Converting garage to bedroom/wetroom should be OK as far as planning goes - you don't change the footprint of the building.

Get advise from OT/nursing care assessors etc before any big decisions.

Either way, good luck.

Bob

Kazby

You could ask them whether any of the properties on the developmet are built to 'Lifetime Homes' standards. They may have had to include some built to this special specification which allows for adaptations to be made to the property - worth knowing what's installed if they have. There are 16 different criteria. You'll have to google it though cos I'm too much of a newbie to post links!