Request from tenant for disabled person modifications

Too busy looking at your shoes and not looking up while you're walking... Look up man, you've got a tenant that needs to live safely and comfortably and a property to fulfill this (and paying you dividends). If you go ahead with all of this do you think the tenant will aim to look for somewhere else to live at next rent increase? Nah...

What are you goals? How does worrying about this help you or anyone really? Think big.

 

My partner is an occupational therapist, specialising in home mods. Suction rails are a big no no. It won't happen.
Do some research, OP. There's actually some really stylish rails available, including vertical ones which look like a part of the shower. They don't have to be ugly beige.
If it was my partner buying your property in the future, she'd consider it a value adder, but people are very nearsighted, and don't think about how they're going to remain in their PPOR once they've lost mobility and their house isn't equipped properly.

Here's some examples:
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/eb/a3/ae/...0ec97--tiles-for-bathrooms-bathroom-ideas.jpg
https://www.acessinc.com/Images/shampooshelfdisplayphoto_000.jpg
And more here
ADA compliant grab bars... that don't really look like grab bars. Bathroom safety doesn't have to look boring and universal designing can be done t… | Pinteres…

 

I was going to say that too. What would happen if one pulled off the wall?

I've been grateful for hobless showers, frameless glass and being able to put a chair in the shower.

I've considered putting rails into the house a number of times.

 

Regarding suction rails:
In NZ my Mum goes to a store that only sells mobility and ability aids and they sell the suction rails. They are very very strong.

 

If it isn't possible to put a rail on the wall for the toilet, then mobility shops sell a toilet safety frame that sits on the floor around the toilet creating a couple of rails to help a person to raise and lower themselves.

It is removable and doesn’t attach to the wall.

 

If it's cheap to install, leaves no damage to repair then it is all too easy for this class of tenant to move OB to another property. The more that is committed to semi-permanent works, the less likely it becomes (or harder) for them to want to change properties.

 

Those are lovely. However, I suspect the Peninsula Health budget won't stretch to $150 for a single chrome grab rail.

I put in the recommended noggins in my toilet walls for standard toilet grab rails to future proof my home a bit. These were for a grab rail that is horizontal next to the toilet and angling upwards towards the front of the toilet. Like you get in public toilets. It’s the shape as well as the colour that makes it look so 'medical'.

The toilet grab rails in the links above are much shorter. Perhaps because they are fitted to an existing frame rather than adding extra noggins etc?

 

They have their place, but in this case it seems the tenant has a quite severe mobility issue. Suction ones are meant to be a short term solution. No qualified OT would ever recommend the suction ones, though, so i doubt in this case the OP would able to satisfy the requirements from Peninsula Health.

 

It's no different to the interface between the taps of the shower unit and the tiles. A bead of silicon around the tile hole, and a gromet/gasket underneath the actual hardware.

 

Get it powder coated or sprayed to match the other tapered if it's such a big issue. My tapware is SS so bright chrome finish is required other bathroom is SCP.

 

Sorry Wiley, the elderly and persons who have disbilities live in every suburb.

 

And on any day, any of us could break a leg, have a knee operation etc.

It's not just the elderly.

 

I agree. My father had these for years before he passed.. they worked very well.

 

I know Wylie, only teasing you.

 

Thank you for all the responses everyone. I guess I will have to allow the modifications (they were in a wheelchair when they rented the house - shouldn't they have asked then????). I really just want to protect the downside of me having to pay out myself to make the house more attractive to future tenants.

 

You then advertise it as "Wheelchair-friendly" if it really is wheelchair-friendly. Can a chair get over the door sills and is the hallway and doorways wide enough? If not, leave the rails and call it disabled-friendly. Either way it will be highly sort-after and may also command higher-than-otherwise rent.

Given the negative feelings shown here, it is possible that the tenants didnt dare ask you at first. They were possibly afraid you would rent it to someone else.