Chestertons is hoping to make it easier for people living in London with disabilities and older people who have lost some of their mobility to secure a home to rent by helping launch the Accessible Lettings Scheme.

The initiative, set up by AccessiblePRS in collaboration with disability charity, Enham Trust, is designed to ‘level the playing field’ for disabled tenants.

Research shows that nine out of ten wheelchair experience barriers accessing the private rented sector.

One of the most substantial barriers is the lack of details on essential features, such as step-free access, in the property descriptions on property websites, without which people with specific housing needs cannot make their decision and often lose out on properties.

Richard Davies, head of lettings at Chestertons, commented: “Finding a suitable property can prove a challenge for any tenant, but it is abundantly clear that the situation is ten times worse for people with disabilities and specialist housing needs, who are regularly frustrated by a lack or relevant information.

“In London’s ultra-competitive rental market, the delays caused by trying to track down essential information will often mean that disabled tenants miss out on properties to those that have less specific requirements.”

Guy Harris, founder of AccessiblePRS, added: “The Accessible Letting Scheme, and training, is about supporting agents to extend what they already do well and moving the private rented sector towards greater inclusion. I’m delighted that Chestertons are showing such proactive leadership.”