‘Give more rights’ to disabled tenants

The Disability Discrimination Bill should be amended to stop
landlords preventing disabled tenants from making their homes
easier to live in, say campaigners.

A 2002 government survey found 18,000 disabled people lived in
unsuitable accommodation because landlords had refused improvements
such as stairlifts.

But the government claims disabled tenants already have the right
to challenge landlords under the Landlord and Tenants Act
1927.

Disability minister Maria Eagle said once more people became aware
of the act they would use it. But Scope campaign officer David May
said the act was obscure, and there had been no cases under the law
which, in any case, did not cover areas such as stairways.
Campaigners want changes to be debated in the House of Lords this
month.