Since 1995 when the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was passed, consideration has been given by organisations to ensure access to their office space is as convenient and accessible as possible for their staff and visitors.
Despite over 25 years since the original Act of Parliament was passed, embracing accessibility in the Central London office market can seem challenging, partially due to the period of the buildings that make up London’s architecture.
The difficulty for Landlords in this circumstance, has always been trying to retrofit accessible features such as step free access, wheelchair friendly passenger lifts and disabled access restrooms, in buildings which do not have the capacity or floor area to achieve this. There may also be limits by due to restrictions imposed to protect the design of listed buildings.
Many newer buildings are naturally better designed with DDA building regulations and compliance considered, but even with these best practices factored, an individual’s needs are difficult to pigeonhole into the minimal standard requirements under building regs.
Because of issues like this, it can feel like a mindboggling minefield for organisations to search and find offices which can meet their firms’ DDA compliance needs. For one, very few commercial property agents are clued up on DDA compliance and the impact on the working environment, or simply avoid the topic entirely, expecting an organisation to undertake their own research to find the perfect office.
LDG doesn’t think like this.
Our belief is it is a property advisors’ role to simplify the office search for the companies we help.
Because of this, we embrace being able to provide in depth knowledge on not only the properties we list and represent, but also the wider market when we act on behalf of businesses to find them the perfect office. Disability friendly offices and buildings are no different and having worked with numerous companies who seek out such buildings, we have built up a good understanding of what is suitable.
So how can you overcome the challenges of finding a disability friendly office?
1) Understand your companies’ individual accessibility needs.
When it comes to DDA compliance, whilst there are recommended practices, ultimately it is specific to your employee’s needs. For example, is permanent step free access required, or would solutions such as a temporary ramp suffice your organisation’s needs?
2) Be Open to Location
Whilst no business should be expected to compromise in order to meet accessibility needs, certain areas may be better suited for disability friendly offices because they may have a larger pool of modern offices because the neighbourhood has benefitted from significant redevelopment. A good advisor can help highlight where these locations will be and identify “commute-ability” as well as the social and leisure benefits of that location for enjoyable “après-work” opportunities for your staff.
3) Be Prepared and Willing to Undertake Certain Fit-Out Works
Whilst Central London’s office market is increasingly offering “ready to move in” workspaces, this doesn’t mean it’ll meet your companies’ every needs. Because of this, undertaking a bespoke office design may be better suited to ensure accessibility measures are met. Whilst this adds an additional layer to an office move, it’s not a gruelling or scary as it initially sounds and there are strong arguments that an occupier can secure better rent frees and leasing terms, if they rent an open plan space that needs fitting out, over taking something pre-fitted.
4) Pick up the phone to an advisor.
Unfortunately, unless there is a drastic cultural shift in how an office is advertised, relying on information found on a property portal such as Rightmove will struggle to provide clear answers when it comes to disability access. Speaking directly to an advisor such as LDG, will help you outline your exact requirements and provide them with insight and understanding so they can hopefully filter the properties which won’t meet your organisation’s needs. From there, we can outline which of our listings are best to view or provide you services that offer tailored shortlist of properties.
