Last reviewed and updated: 29 September 2026
This guide covers the building regulations, standards and approvals that apply when you fit a home lift in the UK.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Home Lift?
In most cases, installing a home lift in a private dwelling does not require planning permission. Home lifts are classified as internal alterations, which fall under permitted development rights. However, there are exceptions. If your property is a listed building, you will need listed building consent before making any structural changes. Properties in conservation areas may also have additional restrictions.
If the lift installation involves any external changes to the building, such as an external shaft or enclosure, you should check with your local planning authority before proceeding. In all cases, your installer should be able to advise whether planning permission is likely to be required.
Building Regulations for Home Lifts
While planning permission is rarely needed, building regulations do apply to home lift installations. For a step-by-step walkthrough of what happens on site, from survey to sign-off, see our guide to the home lift installation process. The main regulations you need to be aware of are:
Part M (Access to and Use of Buildings): This part of the building regulations covers accessibility. While Part M primarily applies to new-build properties and commercial buildings, the principles of accessible design are relevant to domestic lift installations. A well-installed home lift should provide step-free access that is usable by people with a range of mobility needs.
Part A (Structure): Any structural alterations, such as cutting a floor opening for a through-floor lift, must comply with Part A. The floor must be properly reinforced to carry the additional loads from the lift and its users.
Part P (Electrical Safety): The electrical installation for the lift must comply with Part P, which means it should be carried out by a qualified electrician and may need to be inspected and certified.
Part B (Fire Safety): Fire safety is an important consideration, particularly for lifts that pass through fire-separated floors. The lift installation must not compromise the fire resistance of the floor structure. This typically means installing fire-rated doors or shutters at each landing.
BS 5900: The Main Standard for Home Lifts
BS 5900 is the British Standard that specifically covers powered home lifts that are not intended for use by the general public. This standard sets out requirements for the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of domestic lifts.
Requirements of BS 5900 include maximum travel speed limits for domestic lifts, safety features such as door interlocks and overload protection, minimum car size and doorway dimensions, emergency lowering and communication systems, and regular inspection and maintenance schedules.
When choosing a home lift, always check that it complies with BS 5900. Reputable manufacturers and installers will provide documentation confirming compliance.
LOLER: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations
LOLER (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) applies to lifting equipment provided for use at work. HSE states that lifting equipment not provided for or used by people at work, such as stairlifts in private dwellings, is not subject to LOLER. A home lift used only by you and your household therefore does not need LOLER thorough examinations. The position changes when the lift is used by people at work: where paid carers use it, HSE places the duty on their employer, and equipment used to lift people is examined at least every six months. Annual servicing is still what keeps a domestic lift safe; see our maintenance and servicing guide and our home insurance guide.
You can also read more about the practical safety features built into modern lifts in our guide: are home lifts safe for elderly users?
The thorough examination is more detailed than a routine service. It checks the structural integrity of the lift, the condition of safety-critical components, and the correct operation of all safety devices. The examiner will issue a written report, and any defects identified must be rectified before the lift can continue to be used.
PUWER: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) requires that equipment, including lifts, is maintained in a safe condition and suitable for its intended use. While PUWER is primarily aimed at workplaces, it can also apply to domestic lifts, particularly if any paid care workers or domestic staff use the lift in the course of their work.
The Lifts Regulations 2016
The Lifts Regulations 2016 implement the European Lifts Directive in UK law. These regulations primarily apply to lifts permanently serving buildings with a defined landing, travelling in a guide at an angle greater than 15 degrees to the horizontal, and designed to transport people or people and goods.
Many domestic through-floor lifts and platform lifts fall outside the scope of the Lifts Regulations because they travel at low speed and have limited travel distance. However, larger cabin-style home lifts may be covered. Your installer should confirm which regulations apply to the specific lift you are considering.
Fire Safety Considerations
A home lift installation must not compromise the fire safety of your home. The main fire safety requirements are that floor openings created for the lift must maintain the fire resistance of the floor, which is typically 30 minutes in a domestic dwelling. Fire-rated doors or shutters should be fitted at each landing. The lift should have a way to return to the ground floor in the event of a fire or power failure. Emergency lighting should be provided inside the lift car.
Your installer should explain how the floor opening will keep its fire resistance, and building control will check it.
Building Control Notification
Before work starts, the installer or you must notify building control. It may inspect the structural work and the electrics, and you receive a completion certificate at the end. Keep it with the house deeds.
Some installers use approved inspectors instead of the local authority building control service. Both routes are equally valid, and your installer should handle the notification and inspection process on your behalf.
What to Check Before You Buy
Before committing to a home lift purchase (see our home lift prices guide for costs), make sure you ask your installer to confirm that the lift complies with BS 5900, that they will handle building control notification, that fire safety measures are included in the installation, and that all electrical work will be certified under Part P.
A reputable installer will be happy to explain how they meet each of these requirements. If an installer cannot provide clear answers about regulatory compliance, consider looking elsewhere.
