What Is a Home Lift?
A plain-English guide to home lifts and how they can transform daily life.
The basics
A home lift (also called a residential lift or domestic lift) is a small elevator installed inside your home. Unlike commercial elevators, they're designed to fit in ordinary houses — including those without a basement or machine room.
Who are they for?
Stay in the home you love without worrying about stairs.
Restore independence and access every floor safely.
Future-proof your home before mobility becomes an issue.
Makes daily life easier for everyone in the home.
Types of home lifts
- Through-floor lifts — Rise straight through the ceiling/floor. Require a small hole but no shaft. Stiltz specialises in these.
- Stairlifts — Travel along a rail fitted to your staircase. Can't carry wheelchairs.
- Vertical platform lifts — Larger, open-platform lifts, often for wheelchair users.
- Full home elevators — Traditional shaft-based lifts. More expensive and require building work.
Do I need planning permission?
In most cases, no. Domestic lifts like those made by Stiltz typically fall under permitted development. However, if you live in a listed building or conservation area, check with your local authority first.
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