Premises and property

This page provides guidance and links to specialist support services around property and premises issues

Creating accessible premises and services

Introducing the Access and Sustainability Advisory Service

Does your organisation use a building to provide services to the public?

If so, are you aware of the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act around making services accessible to people with disabilities?

Did you know that there is:

funding available to carry out an access audit of your building, and further funding available to make adjustments to the building?
Free information and tailored advice on making your premises accessible, from the Centre for Accessible Environments?

The following documents, made available from the Centre for Accessible Environments could provide some useful reading.

The Disability Discrimination Act - 1.9 MB

The Disability Discrimination Act - 20 KB

What do 'reasonable adjustments' mean? What is an access audit? - 1.1 MB

What do 'reasonable adjustments' mean? What is an access audit? - 11 KB

The Access to Buildings programme - 2.6 MB

The Access to Buildings programme - 6 KB

Funding available - 669 KB

Funding available - 4 KB

Where can I find out more?

To access 1-1 advice and information, please contact the Centre for Accessible Environments' Accessibility and Sustainability Advisory Service:

Visit the Centre's website at www.cae.org.uk/asas.html
Contact Wai Chan, Access and Sustainability Adviser, Centre for Accessible Environments, tel 020 7840 5816, fax 020 7840 5811, email wai-mei.chan@cae.org.uk

The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) advises voluntary and community groups in London who want to make their premises more accessible and sustainable.

The service is aimed at those organisations applying, or considering applying, to the Access for Disabled People element of the Bridge House Trust's grant programme, but is open to the voluntary and community sector in London as a whole. The service will consist of two main parts: a dedicated section on the CAE website and an advisory service.

Article introducing the service - 168 KB

Article about the Access to Buildings programme - 1.1 MB

Press release about the service - 207 KB

For very detailed guidance on accessibility and buildings, have a look at the building regulations around access to and use of buildings at www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000000988.html

Ethical Property Foundation - advice service

The Ethical Property Foundation's Property Advice Service provides commercial property advice to charities in London. The Foundation's comprehensive website at www.ethicalproperty.org.uk provides charities with a full cycle of professional guidance on finding an office, lease negotiations, moving in, managing their tenancy, and moving out.

In addition, the Foundation also provides a telephone helpline for quick queries (020 7065 0760), referrals to a register of property professionals for more specialist advice, and a range of healthcheck services covering leases, property management and property assets.

Property Advice for London

Property Advice for London provides a match-making service for London-based charities to access free specialist property expertise from professionals on everything from refurbishments and leasing to relocation and service charges. It is run by the Construction Industry Council and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, with sponsorship from Barclays Bank.

See their website at www.cic.org.uk.

Planning Aid for London

Planning Aid for London provide free and independent town planning related advice to individuals and groups unable to afford professional consultants. This can include queries that are to do with housing, employment, transport, community issues or improvements to your area.

Planning Aid for London's expert team aims to provide immediate but brief advice on the telephone to help those who cannot afford consultancy fees. In detailed or complicated cases our volunteer specialists can assist. This can include working with groups and appearing at Public Inquiries.

Planning Aid can be contacted at www.planningaidforlondon.org.uk.