Mobility vehicles
Mobility vehicles are valuable in helping people of all ages maintain their independence in the face of mobility problems. If you use one, it’s important to think about how best to store it. This will keep your vehicle safe – and more importantly, it will keep you and your neighbours safe.
We include the following as types of mobility vehicle:
- Mobility scooter
- Motorised wheelchair
- E-bikes
- E-scooters
Storage
You must make sure your mobility vehicle is stored and charged somewhere safe.
Fire and rescue services in the UK warn that mobility vehicles, if involved in a fire, can release large amounts of toxic smoke or gases. This can be dangerous both to residents and to the emergency services themselves. For this reason, they advise that they should not be stored, charged or parked in communal areas, this includes corridors and stairwells. You should not store your mobility vehicle in your home unless it is suitable for internal use, such as a motorised wheelchair.
In some buildings there may be a designated storage area. This will have been designed and set aside for this purpose, and so they may safely be stored and charged there. There may be a waiting list to have a space in these, you should talk to your Scheme Manager before purchasing one.
If you have a mobility vehicle you must ensure it doesn’t block any exits, cause a tripping hazard or cause damage to your home. You must not use extension leads to charge your mobility vehicle.
If you’re looking to buy a mobility vehicle, it’s a good idea to consider whether it’s one that would fit easily through an external door and into your home. Things to think about:
- Can you store it safely?
- How will you charge it?
- If you had to leave your home quickly in an emergency, would it cause an obstruction?
- How big is it?
- Is your garden large enough to take a storage unit?
- If your building has a storage area is there space?
- How much would your insurance be, and can you afford it?
- How will you get it tested each year?
- How much are replacement parts (charging cables etc)?
Mobility vehicle stores for gardens
If your home has a private garden, you could store your mobility vehicle outside. Fire safety experts recommend that they should be parked at least six metres away from buildings.
If you’re buying a store for use in your garden, make sure it’s purpose-built – it will need to be fire resistant.
Insurance
If you’ve got a mobility vehicle, you’ll need to insure it.
Your insurance should cover theft, as well as injury to yourself and other people. If you damage our property, we'll claim for the cost through your insurance company. If you don't have insurance, you'll be charged by us for the costs involved in fixing the damage.
If you live in one of our sheltered, or extra facilities you’ll be required to provide us with a copy of your insurance certificate.
Batteries and charging
When charging your mobility vehicle, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you only use the equipment supplied with it, any replacement parts or equipment should be manufacturer made to help reduce the risk of fire.
If your home has a designated communal area for mobility vehicle storage and charging, you will need to undergo a Portable Appliance Test (often known as a PAT test) to make sure it’s safe.
If you live in a sheltered or extra care facility and use the storage area, we will carry out this PAT test for you. We do not currently recharge tenants for the costs associated with testing.
We recommend your vehicle is suitably maintained and tested on a yearly basis, wherever you buy your vehicle from you should ask about annual maintenance and checks.
Further Information
You can find more information around our policies in relation to mobility vehicles in our Housing Services – A guide to mobility vehicles leaflet [link to follow], our Housing Management Policy [pdf document], by talking to your Housing Management Officer direct or by talking to your Scheme Manager direct.