The adaptability gap: Public perceptions of UK homes in 2026

Habinteg latest briefing —  The adaptability gap: Public perceptions of UK homes in 2026 accessible.pdf [9MB] — presents findings from a UK-wide survey on public attitudes towards accessible and adaptable housing.  

The survey — commissioned from the market research company, Kantar — examined experiences of unsuitable housing, confidence in current homes, concerns about adapting properties, future housing priorities, and support for policy change. 

Overall, the findings show that a substantial minority of respondents have experienced or witnessed closely the impacts of inaccessible housing and there is broad support for a national policy to drive accessible housing supply. Many people lack confidence that their homes will be fit for their long term needs and there are common concerns about the practical barriers the prospect of adapting to meet accessibility requirements including cost, feasibility, permissions, funding, and long-term suitability.

The briefing also shares lived experience stories showing how the difficulties of accessing an accessible home, in the right place, affects the day to day lives and wellbeing of disabled people up and down the country. By focusing on the real-life experiences and expectations of renters, homeowners, disabled people and those with caring responsibilities, the results show why accessible and adaptable housing is central to independence, family resilience and the long-term sustainability of health, care and housing systems.

Together, this evidence strengthens the case for accessible and adaptable standards to be applied to all new homes, so that changing access needs can be met more easily and with less disruption.

Key findings

Public perceptions of UK homes in 2026 key findings:

1)    More than one in five report serious consequences linked to homes not meeting people’s needs. 21% of UK adults say they or a family member experienced outcomes such as delayed return home from hospital or a move into residential care because a home could not meet their accessibility needs.

Habinteg estimates that the cost to the NHS of inaccessible homes leading to delayed hospital discharge could run to £3.9bn based on a delay of just three days per instance while the cost to councils and individuals of unplanned moves to residential care could be £11bn if each instance lasted just four weeks.

2)    Less than a third of UK adults aged 55-64 are confident in the long-term suitability of their current housing. Among 55–64s, just 28% are confident their current home would allow independent living at age 80 without adaptations, compared to 40% of all UK adults (of whom 31% are not confident and 23% are undecided).

3)    Worry about future housing is highest among people with negative experiences Overall, 15% of respondents often or always worry that their own or a loved one’s home will not meet future physical or mobility needs. However, worry is almost twice as high (29%) among people that have previously experienced or witnessed the impact of inaccessible homes.

4)    Concerns about adapting homes are mainly practical and financial. Cost is the most common concern, cited by 46%, followed by whether the home is capable of adaptation (36%). Homeowners are more likely than renters to cite cost and long-term suitability, while renters face a distinct permission barrier: 38% say getting landlord permission would be a top three concern.

5)    Accessibility is more important when people consider future housing choices than when reflecting on past decisions. While 17% say accessibility and adaptability were a high or top priority when choosing their last home, 25% say it will be for their next move.

6)    Support for a national accessible homes policy outweighs opposition by four to one In total 52% support a policy requiring all new homes to be accessible and adaptable, compared with 13% who oppose it.

Overall, the findings show that a substantial minority of respondents have experienced or witnessed closely the impacts of inaccessible housing and there is broad support for a national policy to drive accessible housing supply. Many people lack confidence that their homes will be fit for their long term needs and there are common concerns about the practical barriers the prospect of adapting to meet accessibility requirements including cost, feasibility, permissions, funding, and long-term suitability.

Recommendations

1. National Government

A stronger national approach to accessible housing requirements To increase the availability of accessible homes, government should encourage maximum adoption of the M4(2) Accessible and Adaptable Homes Standard through local plan policies in line with the 2026 amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework. In addition, planning policy guidance should explicitly require local authorities to designate targets for M4(3) Wheelchair User Dwellings to meet current and future demand.

Drive integrated housing, health and social care reform To reduce avoidable spending on health and social care services the government should ensure that social care reform is supported by building more accessible and adaptable mainstream homes. Homes that meet people’s needs support independent living and ease pressures on health and care systems.

Promote a national home accessibility and adaptations awareness service To give the general public clear information on accessible housing and adaptations options government should publicise adaptmyhome.org.uk to ensure homeowners, renters, carers and families can easily find information on home accessibility characteristics, adaptations options, Disabled Facilities Grants and support services.

Run a national campaign on accessible housing
To drive public understanding of the benefits of planning for future housing needs and help more people make informed choices, government should run a public information campaign on accessible and adaptable homes.

2. Local Authorities

Plan proactively for accessible new homes To make sure that households of all kinds have a better chance of a home that meets their access needs, local planning authorities should ensure sufficient delivery of accessible and wheelchair accessible housing. They should establish accessibility requirements for all tenures and sizes of home and report annually on delivery.

Establish a ‘single front door’ advice and support service To help ensure residents are directed to adaptation services and community support before needs escalate councils should provide a single point of access for housing adaptation support, including signposting to guidance on the Disabled Facilities Grant and reference to information sources such as Adapt my Home.

Increase local awareness of adaptation support To reduce uncertainty about costs, Local authorities should work with sector partners, including Foundations and the Housing Ombudsman, to promote trusted sources of information, ensuring residents are aware of the available support, funding and practical guidance.

3. Housing sector and health services

Improve access to adaptations for private renters To minimise private sector renters’ worry about landlord consent and enable them to secure adaptations more quickly, private landlords should adopt the National Residential Landlords Association best practice guidance on home adaptation requests.

Streamline adaptation processes in social housing To make it easier and faster for social renters to obtain essential home adaptations, Housing associations and councils should sign up to the Foundations Charter for social landlords.

Support early conversations about future housing needs To help people think about their future housing options and adaptations before needs become an emergency, primary care professionals should proactively discuss housing suitability with patients with emerging mobility or health challenges.

The briefing is for local councillors, planning teams, parliamentarians, access consultants, social landlords, private landlords and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, Department of Health and Social Care.

Find out more

1. Read our news story
2. See our Accessible Homes Week 2026 stories 
3. Read the briefing: The adaptability gap: Public perceptions of UK homes in 2026 accessible.pdf [9MB]