FIND
DESIGN
ADAPT
Property Finding Services
Specialist support for accessible living
Finding the right home for a person with a disability involves much more than just location or size - it requires a deep understanding of individual bespoke needs and how they translate into practical living requirements. It also means factoring in the cost and feasibility of adapting a property to meet both current and future needs.
That’s where our Property Finding Services come in...
At Design for Independence Ltd, we do more than browse property listings. Our dedicated in-house Property Sales and Lettings Manager - backed by over 20 years of housing market experience - works in close partnership with our expert Housing Occupational Therapists to identify properties that truly suit the individual, now and into the future.
Our Housing Occupational Therapists (OTs) are experts in inclusive home design and accessibility. We assess how a person’s living environment supports - or limits - their ability to live independently and comfortably.
Our Housing OTs create bespoke home designs tailored to each individual's unique needs and abilities. They recommend thoughtful layouts, fixtures, and fittings that enhance safety, comfort, and functionality - empowering individuals to navigate and enjoy their homes with confidence and ease.
We primarily support individuals who have experienced life-changing injuries or live with complex, chronic, or debilitating medical conditions. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and legal professionals, we help deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.
FIND
DESIGN
ADAPT
What we offer:
Market reviews to support budgeting and relocation planning, suitable for use in legal proceedings to secure interim payments.
Housing OT assessment to create a detailed and bespoke criteria for the search.
Property finding searches supported by a Housing OT - rapid filtering of unsuitable properties, saving time, money and frustration.
In-house estate agent - a specialist estate agent working exclusively on behalf of the person with a disability, liaising and communicating with estate agents, landlords and owners.
Joint working with the therapy team and case management to ensure the property meets all rehabilitation and personal goals.
Site visits and suitability assessment with every viewing - including estimated costs for adaptations and future reinstatement.
Why it matters
The wrong property can delay discharge, disrupt rehabilitation or lead to costly rework. Our service ensures you get a property that not only looks right on paper but actually works in real life, with potential for any necessary adaptations.
With clinical insight and property expertise under one roof, we deliver property solutions that are practical, realistic and aligned with your legal and rehabilitation goals.
Meet our team
We provide impartial, unbiased advice to architects, surveyors, and other construction professionals on home adaptations, ensuring that your projects meet the highest standards of accessibility and functionality. Drawing on our extensive experience, we are pleased to recommend reputable companies with whom we have successfully collaborated and we offer project management services as required. Our Occupational Therapists operate across England and Wales.
James Pudney
Property Expert
James leads the Design for Independence property search operation, overseeing the sales and lettings business.
Previously James has worked within both corporate and independent estate agencies with over 29 years’ experience in growing and turning businesses around, increasing market share and profitability. James was also instrumental in recruitment and training within organisations and has enjoyed working with teams and individuals, aiding them to develop their own careers. James assists our clients in the search for both short term rentals and forever home purchases and liaises closely with agents to help them understand the client’s needs and the litigation process.
Design For Independence is unique.
As Housing Occupational Therapists we adeptly interpret complex medical conditions into architectural designs. As Manual Handling experts we precisely assess spatial needs and equipment placement for optimal functionality.
As Therapists we prioritise privacy and dignity, ensuring that our recommendations for purchasing, designing and adapting properties for individuals with disabilities are expertly tailored to enhance quality of life.
Design For Independence is unique.
As Housing Occupational Therapists we adeptly interpret complex medical conditions into architectural designs. As Manual Handling experts we precisely assess spatial needs and equipment placement for optimal functionality.
As Therapists we prioritise privacy and dignity, ensuring that our recommendations for purchasing, designing, and adapting properties for individuals with disabilities are expertly tailored to enhance quality of life.
Chroma House, Shire Hill,
Saffron Walden CB11 3AQ