Top 15 Easy Accessibility Modifications That Cost Less Than $100, €100, £100

When it comes to short-term rentals, property owners can make even minor changes that can have great impact benefiting those with disabilities, their families, and travel companions. Here is a list of 15 easy modifications that can cost less than $100.

Threshold Ramp

Unless you specifically designed your property to have a zero threshold, chances are your entry doors have some sort of raised threshold which could impede entry by someone who uses a wheelchair or walker. To reduce the risk of tripping and make it easier for those with mobility issues to enter your home’s doorways, there are a variety of entry ramps, mats, and plates under $70 that can help provide a smooth transition over raised thresholds.

Keyless Lock

Unlocking a door using a key can be difficult for some people. With a keyless lock system, instead of turning a key, your renters can open the front door lock with a simple remote control, a touch key pad, an electronic card key, or even using their smartphone. Some locks are even wi-fi enabled allowing you to change the numeric combination code remotely between guest rentals. Keyless locks are also convenient in that they can give others, such as cleaning crews or repair technicians, access to your short-term rental without you being disturbed. Numeric keypads should be mounted at door lever height. Basic keyless locks can be sourced for around $100 while more advanced models run between $150 to $350. If you are also changing your door knobs to door levers, it is most economical to purchase the entire door handle lock set.

Door Levers

Persons who have issues with dexterity, grasping, or general use of their hands can struggle using door knobs. Replacing knobs with levers alleviates these kinds of issues. Lockable door levers for bedrooms and bathrooms run around $25 each, while levers for passage doors such as for closets only cost about $10 each. Heavy duty entry door levers can be purchased at around $40 and up, but are most economical when purchased as part of a keyless lock set.

Single Lever Faucets

Many of your renters will find the use of a single-lever faucet control convenient as they can be operated with even limited use of one hand. Ideally, to ensure accessibility, the control lever should be mounted on either side of the sink as opposed to in the back. Automatic “touchless” faucets are also a good consideration. A basic, single-lever faucet may be purchased for as little as $45. Basic automatic faucets are about $100.

Vibrating Alarm Clock

While as easy to use as a normal alarm clock, vibrating alarm clocks have the additional feature of an attached or remote bed shaker for your patrons who are deaf, partially deaf, or just heavy sleepers. These types of clocks can be set to use an alarm buzzer, a bed shaker, or both. You’ll want a model that has large digital LED display with adjustable brightness for renters who may have low vision. You can find these kinds of clocks between $20 to $60.

Strobing Light Alarms

Your renters who are deaf or partially deaf would appreciate your consideration of their safety regarding alarms such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, weather sirens, and doorbells. You can either purchase such alarms with a strobing light feature, or for as little as $35, you can purchase devises that plug into a wall outlet, mount to doors or ceilings, or attach to table lamps that activate a strobing light when an alarm goes off.

Open Floor Plan

Those who have mobility issues need 36” of clearance around furniture to maneuver. This includes hallways which ideally should be a minimum of 48” wide. Removing unnecessary furniture and décor will create more space. Your judicial use and positioning of furniture will go a long way in creating a welcoming atmosphere for all renters, and this modification is free.

Color Palette

Some individuals with disability may be more sensitive to color than average. Individuals with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders may have increased sensory responses, stronger visual processing abilities, and differentiated cognition pathways. Others, such as those with low vision, may need more visual contrast in their environment. Your choice of color scheme in your short-term rental should consider these kinds of issues. Unless you are deliberately setting out to create a highly stimulating environment. more aggressive or vibrant colors should be relegated to décor accents, while muted, soothing colors are preferable for wall color. A good quality gallon of paint costs $35.

Black Out Curtains

Some of your renters may have sensitivity to light due to medical issues such as migraine headaches, an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or other genetic condition. Others or their children may have hyperactivity disorder. Yet others may need a darker room in which to sleep well. Installing black out curtains in bedrooms could be a welcome accommodation for these renters in providing a needed quiet place to help decompress. These kinds of curtains are readily available and can cost as little as $10 per panel.

Odor-Free Environment

Some of your renters will have allergies or sensitivities to smells. For this reason, you should refrain from using scented candles, potpourri, or scented air fresheners in your rental units. Additionally, your use of odorless cleaning chemical solvents and odorless washing detergents for towels and linens would be appreciated. This accommodation is free above the normal costs for such cleaning supplies.

Handheld Shower Head

Your renters who require sitting while showering or any others who need a shower with an adjustable angle water stream would benefit greatly from your installing a hand-held shower head with an adjustable slide bar mount. The hose end of the shower head connects to the spout just as easily as any other shower head, but adds the convenience of raising or lowering the shower stream position on the bar or using it freestyle as needed. The cost including a sliding mounting bar is around $100.

Shower Chair

A shower chair helps to increase safety by providing a secure area in a shower or bath. They are especially useful for those who use wheelchairs, are elderly, or anyone who finds excessive movement painful or difficult. These chairs can be permanently mounted or portable, and are durable, light weight and fold for easy storage while not in use. A portable shower chair can be purchased for under $50.

Tilted Mirror

Your renters who are of short stature or who use wheelchairs would benefit from the installation of a titled mirror in the bathroom. Such mirrors can be straight-facing or titled downward to reflect the user without strain. It is important they be mounted so that the bottom is 40” from the floor when titled. Alternatively, you could forego the tilt feature if you mounted a large mirror with the bottom edge at sink height (34”). Tilted mirrors with mounting hardware can be purchased for as low as $80.

Toilet Seat Riser

A toilet seat riser can convert a standard toilet into a comfort height toilet and is especially beneficial for taller people, seniors, wheelchair users, and anyone with knee or back pain. The taller seat simply makes it easier to sit down, stand up, or transfer from a wheel chair. Some models have handrails that can be attached. Toilet seat risers are as easily installed to your existing toilet as changing out a toilet seat and can be readily purchased from home improvement stores, general big box retailers, or even pharmacy chain stores for less than $60.

Couch Cane/Stand-N-Go

Some of your guests may need assistance in using easy chairs or couches. A couch cane or stand-n-go is an apparatus which fits under the legs of a couch or recliner and allows users to get up and down with ease. These can be sourced for around $100 at various big box and medical supply retailers.

So there you have it – 15 inexpensive, easily- implemented changes you can make to provide a lot of accommodation, assistance, and convenience to your rental patrons.