## Government Consultation on Disabled Facilities Grant Allocation

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) provides vital funding to local councils to adapt homes, enabling disabled individuals to live independently. A recent government consultation has proposed a new allocation formula that will better reflect local disability and health needs across England. This development is significant for landlords, particularly in the private rented sector (PRS), where demand for accessible housing is growing.

## Funding Levels and Comparisons with Wales

Currently, households in England can access up to £30,000 through the DFG, while in Wales, the maximum grant is £36,000. Propertymark has urged the UK government to raise English funding levels to match those in Wales, arguing that this would better support adaptations in the private rented sector. The government has confirmed that local authorities’ funding will remain at 100 per cent of last year’s allocation, amounting to £723 million. However, the guaranteed minimum funding level is set to decrease slightly from 97.5% in 2027/28 to 95% in 2028/29, prompting calls for ministers to maintain robust financial support.

## Challenges for Private Landlords Accessing DFG

In the private rented sector, landlords are eligible for DFG funding only if a tenant with a disability currently resides in the property. Propertymark highlights that this restriction, combined with a mismatch between social housing supply and demand, results in low take-up of DFG funding among private landlords. The organisation advocates for streamlining eligibility criteria to make it easier for landlords to access funding and improve property accessibility. Additionally, Propertymark stresses the need for greater government efforts to raise awareness of available grant opportunities among landlords.

## Importance of Supporting Landlords to Improve Accessibility

Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, commented: “The announcement that the UK government will implement a new Disabled Facilities Grant formula is an important one, and we encourage ministers to maintain strong funding levels as population needs continue to evolve.” He added, “Given the changing demographics, with more persons with a disability and older people accessing the PRS, grant funding must support more landlords to improve accessibility.” Thomas emphasised that improved collaboration between local authorities and private landlords, including the development of an accessible housing database and wider access to grant funding, is fundamental to achieving these goals.

## Government Position on Private Rented Sector Funding

The government has stated that there will be no dedicated private rented sector fund within the Disabled Facilities Grant. However, it noted that the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act will empower tenants to request adaptations without fear of eviction, potentially increasing demand for accessible housing in the PRS.

## What This Means for Landlords

For private landlords, these developments underline the importance of staying informed about DFG eligibility and funding opportunities. While the current system limits access to landlords with disabled tenants, the proposed reforms and increased funding awareness could make it easier to secure grants for home adaptations. Landlords should engage with local authorities and monitor government announcements to take advantage of available support to improve property accessibility.