UNLOCKING ACCESSIBILITY FOR LANDLORDS

As the need for accessible homes continues to rise, landlords across the UK face a growing challenge: how to make properties suitable for disabled or less mobile tenants without committing to expensive, permanent structural changes. Traditionally, adapting a bathroom for accessibility has meant removing baths, altering plumbing, or replacing flooring — all disruptive, costly processes that many landlords understandably hesitate to approve.

But what if there were a way to make a rental property accessible quickly, safely, and without a single tile being removed?

That’s where the award-winning WashPod range of temporary disabled wetrooms, comes in. These modular units allow landlords to offer high-quality accessible bathing without permanent adaptation — opening their properties to a much wider market, increasing occupancy rates, and demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusion.

The Accessibility Gap in Rental Housing

The UK’s population is ageing fast, and more than 14 million people now live with some form of disability. Yet, the vast majority of rented homes remain unsuitable for those with mobility issues. A 2022 survey found that fewer than 10% of private rental properties meet even basic accessibility standards.

Disabled tenants often face a double barrier: not only is the supply of accessible housing extremely limited, but many landlords are reluctant to authorise the modifications that could make a property liveable. Even where tenants offer to fund adaptations themselves — through grants or personal funds — landlords fear lasting damage to bathrooms, reduced property value, or costly reinstatement work when the tenancy ends.

The result is an avoidable situation: potential tenants are excluded from homes that could otherwise meet their needs, while landlords lose out on long-term, reliable renters, particularly if the tenant is the subject of a personal injury or clinical negligence claim, where the solicitors pay the rent as part of interim payments in a court case that can last many years.

A Smarter Solution: Temporary Accessibility with WashPod

WashPod offers a different approach. Instead of ripping out a bathroom or reconfiguring a property, WashPod units are self-contained, freestanding accessible wetrooms that can be installed and removed without any permanent impact on the building. They can be set up internally — in an existing room or space — or externally in an annex, garage, or garden setting.

Key Benefits for Landlords

1. No Structural Changes Required
   A WashPod sits independently of the property’s existing plumbing and finishes. It connects neatly to water and drainage systems, but without the need to tile, alter floors, or undergo any major structural work. Once removed, there’s no trace it was ever there — meaning landlords maintain the integrity of their property.
2. Fast Installation, Minimal Disruption
   On most occasions, WashPods can be installed within a single day – it’s really only the external WashPods that might take a few days longer. For landlords, that means minimal downtime between tenancies, and no lengthy building work that might disrupt neighbours or violate lease agreements.
3. Temporary or Long-Term Use
   Whether a tenant is recovering from surgery and requires a shorter-term adaptation, or needs a long-term solution, the WashPod can remain in place for as long as required and then be removed easily when no longer needed.
4. Compliance with Accessibility Standards
   WashPods are designed to meet accessibility and safety standards to give landlords confidence that the installation meets best practice and reduces liability concerns.

Opening Doors to a Wider Tenant Market

From a business perspective, offering accessible housing is not just a matter of social responsibility — it’s smart strategy.

1. A Growing Tenant Base

With an ageing population and a steady rise in mobility-related conditions, demand for accessible homes is increasing every year. By providing inclusive features through WashPod, landlords can appeal to a significantly broader tenant pool — including disabled people, older tenants, and families caring for relatives with mobility issues.

2. Longer, More Stable Tenancies

Accessible homes often attract tenants who are looking for long-term stability. Once they find a property that meets their needs, they are far less likely to move frequently. For landlords, that means reduced vacancy rates/voids, fewer turnover costs, and more consistent rental income.

3. Enhanced Reputation and Social Value

Housing providers and private landlords alike are increasingly being judged not just on profitability but on social impact. Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity can enhance a landlord’s reputation and help meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. This is especially valuable for housing associations and local authorities seeking to demonstrate community benefit.

4. Collaboration with Local Authorities

WashPods can be bought with a Disabled Facilities Grant to provide an approved and non-invasive adaptation allowing landlords to collaborate more easily with local authorities or care services to house tenants with specific accessibility requirements. Dignity Access offers local authorities a unique Turnaround Service that allows them to keep ownership of the WashPod after it’s no longer needed and to use it elsewhere. There are also other grants such as Discharge Funds, that can be used to finance WashPods. 

Landlords Love the Reversible Design

Traditional bathroom adaptations can be permanent and aesthetically unappealing (although they are improving). Nonetheless, once a bath is removed or tiles are replaced, restoring the bathroom to its original state can be time-consuming and expensive. That’s one of the main reasons landlords hesitate to approve such work.

WashPod eliminates this issue completely. Its reversible installation means:

• No damage to existing finishes or structure.
• Full restoration of the property when the unit is removed.
• The flexibility to re-let the home to any future tenant without accessibility modifications.

Practical Scenarios Where WashPod Works Best

WashPod solutions have already proven invaluable in a range of rental contexts:

• Private landlords seeking to accommodate tenants with temporary or permanent mobility needs.
• Housing associations looking to reduce waiting lists for adapted homes.
• Student landlords providing inclusive accommodation for disabled students.
• Holiday let owners expanding their accessibility offering for guests with mobility impairments.

In each case, the ability to install, use, and remove a fully functioning wetroom without lasting change has made WashPod a game-changer.

Speed and Flexibility That Makes a Difference

Another key advantage is speed. In some cases, a person might be suddenly disabled, temporarily or permanently, and need an accessible bathroom urgently — for example, after an accident or following discharge from hospital. Traditional adaptations can take weeks or months to arrange, requiring planning permission, building work, and inspection. And if they’re a tenant and renting a property, this becomes doubly complicated and time consuming.

A WashPod can be delivered and installed within days, meaning a tenant can move in or return home far sooner. That speed benefits everyone involved — tenants, landlords, and health services alike.

A Win-Win for Tenants and Landlords

For tenants, WashPod represents independence, dignity, and the ability to live comfortably in a home that suits their needs. For landlords, it offers a unique opportunity to make properties more inclusive and desirable without the risks, costs, or permanence of traditional adaptations.

By adopting flexible, modular accessibility solutions, landlords can:

• Attract a wider range of tenants.
• Reduce void periods and maintenance costs.
• Avoid major building work and reinstatement expenses.
• Enhance their reputation as inclusive, forward-thinking property owners.

It’s a rare example of a true win-win solution in the rental sector — and one that aligns with the UK’s broader desire to create accessible, age-friendly housing for all.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Inclusive Renting

As awareness of accessibility grows, landlords who adapt early will be the ones who benefit most. Offering inclusive features is no longer just a moral or regulatory issue — it’s a smart commercial move.

WashPod’s innovative, portable wetroom technology gives landlords the flexibility to serve an evolving market with confidence and minimal disruption. It represents a practical, affordable pathway to inclusive renting — one that unlocks homes for disabled tenants while protecting the value and integrity of landlords’ properties.

In Conclusion
WashPod makes accessibility simple, reversible, and profitable — empowering landlords to open their doors to everyone, without opening up their walls.