Help Paying for an Accessible Bathroom or Wet-Floor Shower in Fife

Fife Council's major adaptations service starts with an assessment by its Community Occupational Therapy Service. The occupational therapist looks at how you manage at home and what would help.

Don't start or pay for the work before the assessment. The council says it won't repay you for an adaptation you've already paid for.

Fife Council only funds building work if equipment won't meet the need. Structural changes, like a wet-floor shower, are considered when equipment won't meet the need. The council aims for the most cost-effective option that meets the need, which may not be everything you'd like.

Step 3: the grant

Under Fife Council's Scheme of Assistance:

• The minimum grant is 80% of the cost of structural adaptations, a requirement of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.
• The grant can be 100% if the disabled person receives Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit (guarantee element), income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Universal Credit.
• Homeowners and private tenants can apply. The disabled person can be the applicant, their partner, someone who lives with them, or a dependant.
• Qualifying work includes a wet-floor shower in the existing bathroom. Extensions that add living space, such as an extra bedroom, aren't covered.

• Title deeds: conditions are added to the property's title deeds for 10 years. The house must be your only or main home, and you must keep it in reasonable repair.
• Repayment: if the conditions are broken, the grant may have to be repaid with interest.
• Costs: the cost of amending the title deeds is paid by the person receiving the grant.
• Removing it later: if the adaptation is removed, the owner is responsible for putting things back, following council advice.

• Council tenants: Fife Council arranges and pays for structural adaptations.
• Housing association tenants: the council sends a recommendation to your housing association, which is responsible for the work.

The Scheme of Assistance lists two sources of help:

• Disabled Persons Housing Service (Fife) gives advice on adapting your home, whoever owns it.
• The Adaptations One Stop Shop at Rosewell Clinic, Lochore, has room pods showing adapted and unadapted layouts, so you can see what a change would look like.

Not everyone qualifies, and some people would rather go ahead without waiting. If you're paying privately, we fit wet rooms and accessible bathrooms and walk-in showers across Fife. Just remember: if you might apply for a grant, get the assessment before any work starts.

How much of the cost will the grant cover?

At least 80% for structural adaptations, and up to 100% if the disabled person receives one of the qualifying benefits.

Can I get the work done first and claim afterwards?

No. The council won't repay you for work done before the assessment.

Does a wet-floor shower count as an adaptation?

Yes. A wet-floor shower in the existing bathroom is one of the examples in Fife Council's Scheme of Assistance.

Do I need a building warrant for a wet-floor shower?

Possibly. Check with Fife Council's building standards team. Our building warrant guide explains why wet rooms are treated differently.

Are there conditions on the grant?

Yes. Conditions go on the title deeds for 10 years, including that the house is your main home and kept in reasonable repair.