Stairlifts: Types, Suitability and Funding Explained

In short: A stairlift is a powered chair that carries someone up and down the stairs, and the main choice is between a straight and a curved rail. In England a Disabled Facilities Grant of up to £30,000 (GOV.UK, as at November 2026) can help with the cost, and VAT relief may apply. Ask an occupational therapist to assess you before you buy, so the lift suits your needs now and later.

Is a stairlift the right answer?

A powered chair on the stairs suits people who find stairs hard but can still get on and off a seat and use the controls. Which? says a lift is not right for every household, and some staircases cannot take one. The person needs enough mobility to transfer on to the seat and enough dexterity to use the controls, seatbelt and footrest.

Age UK suggests asking first whether you can reduce how often you use the stairs. A second handrail may help. If a seated lift is not suitable, a wheelchair lift may be an option, depending on your home.

Think about how the person’s health is likely to change. A lift that suits someone today may not suit them in a year, for example with a progressive condition or dementia, where the ability to use the controls safely matters. Our falls prevention at home checklist covers the other stair risks, such as lighting and handrails.

Straight and curved stairlift types

A straight rail is the simplest type, and a curved rail is made to follow a bend or landing in your staircase. Which? says a straight lift is usually the easiest to install and the cheapest type, though it may not suit very narrow stairs. If the stairs curve only at the top, a bridging platform may be needed to reach the landing.

• Curved: uses a made-to-measure rail, so it can usually fit almost any staircase. It is generally more expensive, and each corner roughly doubles the initial cost (Which?).
• Standing or perching: suits very narrow stairs without room for a seat. It needs enough headroom for the whole standing body and is not safe for anyone with dizzy spells or who cannot stand for a few minutes.
• Outdoor: weather resistant versions help with steps to the front door or garden and need a safe power supply.
• Through-floor lift: suits a wheelchair user who cannot transfer safely, or stairs that are too narrow or spiral. It is the most expensive option because building work is needed.

Age UK lists useful features such as a swivel seat, easy-grip controls and automatic safety stops. It also says a stairlift can be bought from retailers, and that the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers can advise on choosing products.

Take the person who will use the lift to any showroom visit if you can, so they can sit in it and try the controls. Ask for the stair measurements the supplier used, and keep a copy of the survey with your quote.

Why an occupational therapist should assess you first

A stairlift is not a casual purchase, so ask for an occupational therapist assessment before you buy. Which? advises an assessment to check the lift will suit you now and in future. You can ask your council’s adult social services for a free care needs assessment, or hire a private therapist through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Age UK notes that private therapists charge.

An assessor looks at how you move on stairs, how you transfer, whether you can use the controls and whether another solution would work better. They may recommend a different type, or no lift at all. See our guides to preparing for a care needs assessment and free equipment from the council and NHS.

If you are buying privately, a supplier’s surveyor also visits. Which? says this survey should be free of charge. They check stair width and, for a seated lift, knee room, and judge your ability to use the controls and seatbelt. Treat the survey as a sales visit as well as a safety check, and keep the assessor’s advice to hand when you compare options.

Installation and what to expect

Stairlift installation usually takes between one and 14 days, with curved lifts taking longer (Which?). Extra work, such as an additional power socket or carpentry, can add time. Which? advises getting two or three quotes, including one from a manufacturer and one from a supplier, and checking whether each includes VAT so you can compare fairly.

• Ask what the warranty covers and for how long. Servicing and repairs are not always included.
• Ask who services the lift and how quickly they respond.
• Ask what happens when it is no longer needed. Buy-back is not offered by every manufacturer, and payments are usually low (Which?).
• Your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act still apply after a warranty expires.

Which? also says you can cancel distance or off-premises orders within 14 days of delivery under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, but this does not generally apply to goods made to your specification, which can include a curved rail. Check the contract before signing, and take your time if a salesperson presses you.

Funding options: grant, council and VAT relief

In England a Disabled Facilities Grant can pay for a lift, up to £30,000 for all the work in the grant (GOV.UK, as at November 2026). Age UK’s factsheet (March 2026) lists stairlifts among the works it covers. The grant is means-tested on household income and savings over £6,000, so you may have to pay part of the cost. GOV.UK says the government funds Foundations, which can help you apply, and Age UK says a Home Improvement Agency can arrange surveys, estimates and funding applications. A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any benefits you receive. Age UK also says you can apply even if the council decides you have no eligible care needs.

• Apply through your local council, which may send an occupational therapist or trained assessor.
• Do not start work before the council approves your application, or you may get no grant.
• The council must decide within 6 months, and work should be finished within 12 months of approval.
• If you disagree, you can appeal to the council and then complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
• You normally sign a certificate that you will live in the property for 5 years, or a shorter period for health reasons.

Which? says council provided stairlifts may be available through leasing, second-hand stock or a grant, and that income and savings are assessed first.

VAT relief

Under HMRC’s VAT Notice 701/7 (last updated 31 December 2020), a disabled or chronically sick customer can have a stair lift zero-rated, and you sign a declaration. For customers aged 60 or over, the reduced rate applies to supply and installation of a lift. Age UK’s factsheet (March 2026) gives that as 5%. GOV.UK says you do not qualify for the zero rate if you are elderly but not disabled, or only temporarily disabled. Installation of items paid for or arranged by the NHS or a hospital is excluded. Our guide on bathroom aids explains the same VAT rules for other items.

Second-hand and rental options

A reconditioned straight stairlift is widely available, and renting suits short-term needs such as recovery from an operation. Which? says curved lifts are rarely sold second-hand because the rail is made to measure.

Second-hand

• Only approved or authorised dealers should sell reconditioned lifts (manufacturers’ position, reported by Which?). Buying elsewhere may mean losing the warranty and service history.
• Check the service history, who serviced it and how long the warranty runs.
• The lift still needs a survey and a correct fit for your stairs, and the same assessment advice applies.

Rental

• Suppliers often set a minimum term of around three months (Which?).
• Hire usually includes installation and removal charges, plus monthly fees. Ask for these in writing.
• If your need becomes long term, ask how the contract converts or ends.

This guide gives no prices because the official sources we checked do not publish a standard figure. Ask for itemised written quotes.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Funding differs by nation, so ask your own council or trust early. In Wales the Disabled Facilities Grant is up to £36,000 (GOV.UK, as at November 2026), and Shelter Cymru says small adaptations are free of means. Scotland does not offer these grants (GOV.UK); you ask your council’s social work service for an assessment, and the Scottish Government’s older guide to funding adaptations (2011) says to check current rules locally. In Northern Ireland the Housing Executive runs the grant on an occupational therapist’s recommendation, applied for through your local Health and Social Care Trust. The limit differs between GOV.UK and NI Direct, so check NI Direct for the current figure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a stairlift free from the council?

Not usually as free equipment, because a lift costs more than the £1,000 limit. In England a means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant of up to £30,000 can pay for one. The council may also lease or reuse lifts, according to Which?. Income and savings are assessed first.

Do I pay VAT on a stairlift?

A disabled or chronically sick person can have zero VAT, with a signed declaration. People aged 60 or over can have the reduced rate on supply and installation. Being elderly but not disabled does not qualify for zero rating. HMRC’s VAT Notice 701/7 has the detail.

What is the difference between a straight and curved stairlift?

A straight lift runs on a straight rail and is usually the easiest and cheapest. A curved lift has a made-to-measure rail to follow bends or landings, so it fits almost any staircase but costs more, with each corner roughly doubling the initial cost, according to Which?.

How long does installation take?

Which? says installation typically takes between one and 14 days, with curved lifts taking longer. Extra work such as another power socket or carpentry can add time. The survey beforehand should be free, so ask for it to be confirmed in writing.

Do I need an occupational therapist assessment?

It is strongly advised. Which? recommends one before buying, to check the lift suits you now and later. You can ask your council for a free needs assessment or use a private therapist, who will charge. The grant route may also involve an assessor.

Can I buy a second-hand stairlift?

Yes, usually a straight one, because curved rails are made to measure. Which? says only approved or authorised dealers should sell reconditioned lifts, and you should check the service history and warranty. It still needs a survey and a proper fit for your stairs.

Can I rent a stairlift?

Yes. Which? says renting suits short-term needs such as recovery from an operation. Suppliers often require a minimum term of around three months, and hire usually includes installation and removal charges plus monthly fees. Ask for the full terms in writing before signing.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants, what you’ll get
• GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants, eligibility
• GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants, how to claim
• GOV.UK: VAT relief for disabled people
• GOV.UK: VAT Notice 701/7, reliefs from VAT for disabled and older people
• Which?: Different types of stairlifts
• Which?: Should you get a stairlift
• Which?: Buying and installing a stairlift
• Age UK: Disability equipment and home adaptations (factsheet 42, March 2026)
• Age UK: Adapting your home (information guide)
• Shelter Cymru: Getting adaptations
• NI Direct: Disabled Facilities Grants
• Scottish Government: Funding adaptations to the home, a guide for homeowners (2011)

This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. The Care Panel is an independent guide and is not part of any government body or care provider. Last checked 9 November 2026.

Related: What to do after a fall · Pendant alarms and fall detectors explained · Mobility aids and wheelchairs

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.