Question reference: S5W-26362
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 12 November 2019
-
Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 November 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage property owners of all tenures to alter their properties to achieve better accessibility standards.
Answer
While new homes in Scotland are the most accessible in the UK, the Scheme of Assistance encourages existing home owners to take more responsibility for the condition of their homes. It also requires local authorities (and now IJBs) to provide assistance to support a wide range of work to meet the needs of disabled people. We also encourage social landlords to take account of accessibility standards when undertaking programmes of refurbishment to existing properties.
We are also developing regulations under section 37 of the Equality Act 2010 that will give disabled people the right to make necessary, reasonable adaptations to common areas. The creation of this right will be a first within the UK.