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If you need a stairlift but aren't sure about buying, hire is worth considering. You get it fitted quickly, pay a weekly or monthly fee, and hand it back when you're done. No large upfront purchase, no permanent commitment.

Our complete stairlift buying guide covers the different types in more detail if you want to read around the subject first. 

What is stairlift hire?

With hire, you rent the stairlift rather than buy it. The company fits it, you pay a regular fee, and they remove it when you're finished. Because the unit stays their property, servicing and repairs are their job, not yours.

Hire is available for both straight and curved staircases. Curved models cost more because each rail is made to fit your specific stairs.

When does renting a stairlift make sense?

After surgery or illness. A hip or knee operation can leave you needing safe stair access for a few months while you recover. Once you're back on your feet, the company comes and takes it away.

When your mobility might improve. If your situation is likely to change, hire means you're not locked into a purchase. You get what you need now and reassess later.

To try before you buy. A month or two of actually living with a stairlift tells you things no showroom visit can. You find out how often you use it, how it fits your routine, and whether you'd want one permanently.

For a visiting relative. If someone with limited mobility is staying for a while, a short-term hire is a practical way to make your home more comfortable for them.

As a rough guide, hire tends to work out cheaper if you need a stairlift for less than 12 to 18 months. After that point, buying usually makes more financial sense.

How stairlift hire works

An assessor visits to look at your staircase and work out which stairlift suits you. For straight stairs, fitting can often happen the same day or the next. Curved staircases take a bit longer because the rail is made to measure.

Once it's in, you pay your agreed weekly or monthly fee. All servicing, maintenance, and callouts are included. If anything stops working, the company fixes it at no extra charge.

When you're done, you call to arrange collection. They remove the stairlift and your staircase goes back to how it was.

How much does it cost to rent a stairlift in the UK?

Costs vary by stairlift type, provider, and any extras you need. 

Straight stairlifts: typically £10 to £15 per week (around £43 to £65 per month)
Curved stairlifts: typically £20 to £25 per week, since each rail is made to measure

Most providers charge an upfront fee at the start, which usually covers installation, the first rental period, and eventual removal. Ask for a full breakdown before signing.

Our hire rates at Right Choice Mobility start from around £30 to £75 per month depending on your requirements. Call or come in and we can give you an accurate figure for your specific staircase.

VAT relief. If you or a family member has a disability or a long-term health condition, you may not have to pay VAT on stairlift hire. Under HMRC Notice 701/7, eligible customers can claim zero-rated VAT on hire as well as purchase. It is worth raising when you get a quote. Our team can talk you through whether you qualify.

Rolling contracts vs fixed-term hire

Most hire agreements run month to month. You pay, use the stairlift, and end the hire when you no longer need it, normally with a few weeks' notice. That flexibility is one of the main reasons people choose hire over buying.

Some providers ask for an upfront payment covering the first few months. Others offer a straightforward pay-as-you-go arrangement with no minimum term.

Before you sign, check three things: how much notice you need to give, whether the upfront fee is refundable if your situation changes quickly, and whether you can convert to a purchase if you decide you want to keep it.

Stairlift hire vs buying: which is right for you?

It depends on how long you'll need the stairlift.

Hire makes sense if your need is short-term, if you want to try it before committing, or if the upfront cost of buying is too high right now. You also do not have to think about maintenance. That is the hire company's job.

Buying makes sense if you expect to use a stairlift for more than 18 months, or if you would rather own it outright and stop paying monthly fees. Reconditioned stairlifts are worth considering if you want to buy without paying new prices. 

If you are not sure, come into our showroom in Highams Park, on the Chingford and Walthamstow border. You can try a stairlift in person, which tends to make the hire-or-buy decision a good deal clearer. We are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9:30am to 4pm.

Arranging stairlift hire from Right Choice Mobility

We hire stairlifts across London and the surrounding area. We are a Which? Trusted Trader and NHS approved supplier, and our in-house team handles all servicing and repairs. If something needs sorting during your hire, we deal with it ourselves rather than passing you to a third party.

To find out more or arrange a free home visit:

Call us on 0208 527 7487 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9:30am to 4pm)
Send an enquiry via our contact page or visit our showroom in Highams Park, London.

Give us a call or pop in, we're happy to help.