Adaptation request in privately rented house

AnotherJoe

GwylimT wrote: »

I imagine the cost of lessons, tests and then insurance, vehicle, MOT, tax, servicing and fuel are currently not affordable.

they already have a vehicle so most of those are covered it’s just the cost of learning. What’s the OP going to do when the spouse can’t drive her around any more ? And that would allow them to move further afaield to somewhere cheaper with more suitable housing

Margot123

AnotherJoe wrote: »

they already have a vehicle so most of those are covered it’s just the cost of learning. What’s the OP going to do when the spouse can’t drive her around any more ? And that would allow them to move further afaield to somewhere cheaper with more suitable housing

Plus the cost of additional insurance, which for a learner driver would be unaffordable on a low income.

GwylimT

AnotherJoe wrote: »

they already have a vehicle so most of those are covered it’s just the cost of learning. What’s the OP going to do when the spouse can’t drive her around any more ? And that would allow them to move further afaield to somewhere cheaper with more suitable housing

She has already confirmed that her partner is unable to drive her around.

Helen2k8

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Why can’t you learn to drive ?

Are you offering to fund the lessons, test, increased cost of insurance, increased cost of fuel used...?

ANGLICANPAT

I have every sympathy with the idea that pain killing'drugs' are causing your husband to have weight gain . Perhaps he's on the likes of Lyrica - the information sheet for this drug shows weight gain as number 2 side effect . Increased appetite is a separate side effect much further down the list, which exacerbates number 2 side effect, Pain support forums are full of people complaining that they are piling on the weight despite lessening their food intake whilst on this drug. My husband is on it and also has a terrible struggle despite eating less than before.

I do agree with the others that ideally a different premises would be better for you long term, and Id encourage it,but until its possible, if you were good long term tenants who'd saved me the cost of voids over the past few years, I would be happy to put in a bannister at my cost . Unless the bathroom was huge or had an expensive flooring ,I'd also look into fitting these https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/bath-grab-rails/swedish-bath-grab-rail-view-large?gclid=CjwKCAiAj53SBRBcEiwAT-3A2FpHKhykeo0gZkf90tSZUunV2hbCweK6I8ZxogTW9vAcFiFrhqmCTxoCUioQAvD_BwE,

as long as I had in writing that I had pointed out the risk of your OH's weight not being supported , but that you still wanted it/them fitted. I would have in the new contract that the bond would be used to make good the flooring after your departure . Also wouldnt mind if you found you could get a disability grant, if you wanted to rent a stair lift if the walls were suitable, as they dont leave much damage and maintenance wouldnt be a problem. Do hope you find a solution that suits you soon . Spinal pain is very very debilitating and wears both sufferer and carer down . Good luck .

HB58

martindow wrote: »

Is claiming attendance allowance a possibility? That is not means tested.

I agree with others that the real problem is stairs rather than handrails.

PIP is the equivalent of AA for younger people.

tiz

It sounds like your landlord hasn't actually said no, so I would write a letter outlining what changes you would like to make, perhaps after discussing it with a relevant practitioner that could advise on your husbands needs and what options are available. Indicate how you would like the costs divided and why you think that would be fair. For example, as a landlord I'd be happy to fit a handrail at my cost as that would be of benefit to most tenants and not effect future rentals, however if you wanted adaptations specific to your needs I'd more likely give you permission to install at your cost with you then removing them to take with you when you left, and making good any damage. If I was planning to put a new bathroom in anyway, I'd consider giving you some say over it within reason, with you contributing any cost over what I would spend on what I would put in. If you did this you'd want to agree a longer term tenancy too.

Then ask for a response before the cut off so you can make a decision on extending the tenancy. Definitely worth looking at other properties too - you might find something turn up at just the right time and it may be the cost of moving works out similar to the cost of adaptations.

AnotherJoe

GwylimT wrote: »

She has already confirmed that her partner is unable to drive her around.

Nope, he’s driving her.

. The nearest supermarket is 15 minutes drive away and I don't drive. It's teamwork, I can't get to the shop easily myself (or more importantly, I can't get the shopping home), and he can't manage to do the shopping without help so we shop together and it works (and if, for whatever reason, he's not feeling up to walking round the shop with me, he waits in the car or the cafe).

AnotherJoe

Helen2k8 wrote: »

Are you offering to fund the lessons, test, increased cost of insurance, increased cost of fuel used...?

The point is that will allow them to pick an area with more suitable housing since OP has said they are trapped where they are. . Or maybe she could get a better laying job. Or both.

They can compensate for extra costs by buying less food since as someone else pointed out, drug medicines don’t beat physics, eat less food you’ll put on less weight.

Or, they could just give up and do nothing and let things deteriorate.

GwylimT

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Nope, he’s driving her.

She said he is largely unable to do this, which is why she is unable to rely on him to drive her to work.