Adapting your home

Find out about ways to adapt your home, including small changes and other support to help you stay safe and independent.

On this page

When home adaptations can help

Adapting your home can help you stay safe and live independently.

You can make changes to your home, from small adaptations like grab rails to major changes such as stairlifts. The right option depends on your needs, your home and what support you are eligible for.

You can get help from us or find other home adaptation providers listed in Your Notts Directory.

You do not need to know what adaptations you need before asking for help. An occupational therapist can assess your needs and recommend the right support.

There are two types of help you can get from us:

  • minor adaptations, including the Handy Person Adaptation Service (HPAS)
  • major adaptations, including the Disabled Facilities Grant

If you’re not sure what support you need, contact the Customer Service Centre.

We’ll explain your options and arrange an assessment if needed.

Minor adaptations

Minor (small) adaptations are simple changes to make everyday tasks safer and easier, such as fitting grab rails or small jobs like securing loose carpets.

If you think they can help, you can:

If you’re not sure, contact our Customer Service Centre for advice.

Handy Person Adaptation Service (HPAS)

This service helps you stay safe and independent by offering free or low‑cost help with small adaptations and practical jobs to reduce risks around your home.

It provides:

  • small adaptations (free)
  • handy person jobs (from £15)

All work is carried out by approved traders.

Who can use the service

You can use the service if you live in Nottinghamshire (not Nottingham City) and:

  • are aged 60 or over, or
  • have a disability

If you live in Nottingham City, contact Nottingham City Council.

Small adaptations

These help you move safely around your home and reduce the risk of falls.

Examples include:

  • an extra stair rail
  • grab rails inside your home
  • grab rails outside your home

Small adaptations, including materials, are free and are usually fitted in one visit.

If you need more support, we may recommend a care and support assessment.

Handy person jobs

These are small jobs to make your home safer.

Handy person jobs cost £15, plus materials.

You can get help with things like:

Safety and preventing trip hazards

  • securing loose carpets or adjusting door thresholds
  • making loose or trailing wires safe

Doors, locks and home security

  • replacing broken door locks (wooden doors only)
  • fitting video doorbells (battery or plug‑in only)
  • fitting key safes

Repairs and small fixes

  • repairing internal doors (for example fixing hinges or handles)
  • replacing bulbs in security lights
  • unblocking sinks (not toilets)

Support at home (including hospital discharge)

  • moving furniture to support hospital discharge (for example moving a bed downstairs)
  • assembling small items of furniture for medical use (such as a bedside cabinet)

Fixtures and fittings

  • fitting curtain rails and curtains
  • installing a first stair rail (if you do not already have one)

Download a full list of jobs included in the service, including what is not covered: Handy Person Adaptation Service: full list of jobs [PDF]

You will usually need to supply materials. If you cannot get them yourself, the trader may be able to buy them for you if you cover the cost.

Prices may change, so confirm the cost when requesting a job.

How long it takes

Most jobs through HPAS take up to 4 hours to complete.

Jobs are usually completed within 5 working days. 

If you are in hospital

If you are in hospital and need minor adaptations before returning home, such as a key safe or grab rails, the hospital can refer you.

Work to help you return home safely is usually completed within 2 working days.

For other support available when leaving hospital, read hospital discharge support.

Before you ask for help

  • You can usually use the service once every 3 months, unless you need more adaptations
  • If you rent privately, your landlord must give permission before work starts
  • If you rent from a council or housing association, they may provide their own service
  • The service does not cover gardening, decorating or specialist work, such as gas, electrical or plumbing.

Get help from the Handy Person Adaptation Service

You can contact us yourself, or on behalf of a friend or family member, through the Customer Service Centre.

A health or social care professional can refer you using the HPAS professional referral form.

You can download a factsheet if you would like a short summary of the service to print or share: Handy Person Adaptation Service factsheet.

Major adaptations

Major adaptations are larger structural changes to your home. You may need them if small adaptations are not enough to access your home, stay safe or use your home fully.

Types of major adaptations

Major adaptations can include things like:

  • widening doorways
  • installing a stair lift or ceiling hoist
  • fitting a ramp
  • installing a level‑access (walk‑in) shower or wet room

Each situation is considered based on your needs and your home.

Decisions also consider safety, need and whether the changes are suitable for your property.

Get help with major adaptations

If you’re finding it difficult to use or access your home, contact the Customer Service Centre.

We will arrange for an occupational therapist to assess your needs and recommend the right support.

If you pay for adaptations yourself

If you arrange adaptations privately:

  • use a reputable company
  • agree the price before work starts

You can use our Trading Standards Consumer Advice page if you have concerns or problems with work you receive.

Disabled Facilities Grant

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) helps pay for changes to your home if you are disabled. It is paid by your district or borough council.

If you are aged 18 or over, it is means tested. This means the council will look at your income and savings to decide if you can get the grant and how much you may need to pay. Children are not means tested.

It can help pay for larger changes, such as ramps or level‑access showers.

To apply, contact the Customer Service Centre and explain that you are finding it difficult to use or access your home.

An occupational therapist will assess your needs and support you to apply if needed.

Read more about the Disabled Facilities Grant (GOV.UK) or download our Disabled Facilities Grant factsheet.

Support from an occupational therapist

An occupational therapist can assess your needs through a care and support assessment.

They can discuss different options with you and then recommend the support that will help you stay as safe and independent as possible.

They will contact you after you get in touch with the Customer Service Centre.

When adaptations may not be enough

Some homes are not suitable for adaptations, or changes may not meet your needs.

If this happens, we will talk to you about other housing options that could work better for you. We will support you to find the right option.

Our Somewhere to live page explains your housing options and next steps.