I have just received an enquiry from the tenant of a newsagents business.
The shop is on two levels with the main retail area on the upper level (up
3 steps) and the cash till on the lower area.
The front door is wide and has a flush threshold.
The LANDLORD is building an extension on the back of the building which
will only give access to the upper level.
The tenant wants the landlord to make the upper level fully accessible but
the landlord says that it is impractical.
The tenant says that it is practical to provide a ramp but would require
some structural aterations to a rear wall to creat a new opening.
Usually it is the duty of the tenant to make reasonable adjustments.
In this case the tenant wants to improve access to increase footfall
through the shop for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs but the
landord does not.
In this particular case is there any duty on the landlord under the DDA to
improve access to the whole of the premises.
The new extension complies with Part M because it does not have its own
entrance and so does not make an existing situation any worse.
Clear as mud?
Any advice or thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.
Regards
Alan Hunt
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