Accessibility Considerations
At Original Cottages, we strive to make sure everyone can fully enjoy their holiday by asking our homeowners to consider the accessibility of their property for disabled guests. Below you’ll find a few helpful tips to make your holiday home accessible in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
Accessibility Guides
Under the act, homeowners must provide an Accessibility Guide for each of their holiday properties. An Accessibility Guide is a written map of a property which details any access restrictions and identifies potential hazards, such as steep stairs, changes to the floor level, a gravel drive etc.
Accessibility Guides enable guests with a disability or impairment to make a judgement on whether your property is suitable for them. Think about:
- Is the access level or uneven outside the property?
- What's the driveway surface like? Paved, gravel, level etc
- Are there steps up to the property?
- Does the property have level access bedrooms?
- Are the light switches wheelchair level?
- How steep are the stairs?
- Does the property have ground floor bathroom?
- Are there any high thresholds, or low doorframes?
- Are the doors 750 mm wide or more?
For help creating your own accessibility guide, see accessibilityguides.org
Assistance Animals
Another key consideration to make your holiday home accessible is to be aware that it is against the law to refuse to let assistance animals stay at your property. Homeowners must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that guests with disabilities are not discriminated against. It is against the law, unless the circumstance is deemed exceptional, to refuse to allow assistance animals to stay in your property with the person they are supporting. This applies irrespective of your policy towards pets.
It is also unlawful to apply additional charges in relation to assistance animals, such as a pet fee or for additional cleaning.
To learn more about the Equality Act 2010, see the Gov.uk Guidance for the Equality Act 2010 or read the full legislation.
This article was published on 18-May-22
Disclaimer: At the time of publishing, The Original Cottage Company Limited has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this guide is accurate. However, no warranty or representation is given that the information is complete or free from errors or inaccuracies. This guide contains general information about laws applicable to holiday properties. This information is not advice and should not be treated as such. Compliance with legislation is the responsibility of the holiday property owner and The Original Cottage Company Limited assumes no liability in this regard. This guide is not intended to be a definitive statement of the law in England & Wales. If you require precise or more detailed information regarding financial, legal and tax legalisation we recommend you seek professional advice.
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