Adapting your rented home for a disability: what changes

Not in that situation? Start with the general version: Changing your rented flat and landlord building works.

For tenants with a disability or dependency who want to adapt a rented home. It explains when you need the landlord's agreement, what to expect when you leave, and where to look for rights, support and grants.

Key rules

• Written consent: Get your landlord's agreement to adaptation works in writing before you start.
• Leaving: You may have to undo structural adaptations when you go, unless the landlord agrees in writing that they stay.
• Shared areas: Works on common parts of the building involve the community of owners.
• Grants: Apply for any grant before starting work, and check open calls with your region.

Ask your landlord before you start

Tell your landlord in writing before you adapt the home, and get their agreement in writing. Spanish tenancy law gives tenants with a disability, or who live with someone with a disability, a specific right to make adaptation works. It is not a free-for-all, though. Send the plan, the quote and the work schedule so the landlord can see what you intend to do.

Keep copies of everything: your request, the reply, photos of the home before the work, and the invoices.

What to restore when you leave

Adaptations that change the structure or the look of the home may have to be undone when you leave. Examples are widening a door, replacing a bath with a level-access shower, or fitting a ramp. The landlord can ask you to put the home back as it was. Agree this in writing before the work starts, including whether the landlord is happy for the adaptation to stay. If they are, get that in writing too. Removable items, such as grab rails or a portable ramp, are easier to take with you.

If the building has a community of owners

Many flats belong to a building run by a comunidad de propietarios. Works on shared parts, such as the entrance, stairs, lift or a ramp in the common area, need the community, not only your landlord.

Owners and residents with a disability, or aged 70 or over, can ask for accessibility works. The community must carry them out, within a cost limit of 12 monthly ordinary charges. The community may also choose to pay for more. As a tenant, ask your landlord to make the request, or ask them to back yours.

Where to check your rights and get support

• Regional social services: ask for a dependency assessment under the Ley de Dependencia. It can open the door to care and support services.
• Regional disability recognition centre: this is where you obtain the certificado de discapacidad. Many grants and benefits require it.
• IMSERSO: the national body for older people and dependency. It can point you to national programmes.
• Regional and municipal housing bodies: ask about subsidies for accessibility and rehabilitation works. Many regions run these programmes, often funded through the national housing plan.
• Your town hall (ayuntamiento): ask for local advice and any local grants.
• ONCE, CERMI and Fundación ONCE: they give advice on disability rights and adaptations.

Grants differ by region and year. Ask which calls are open now and whether tenants, not only owners, can apply. Apply before you start the work, as grants usually do not pay for work already done.

For the general rules on altering a rented home, see the base page on changing your rented flat.