The ACT Greens are set to put forward an amendment this week that would require accessible and adaptable houses in the ACT to be listed as such in rental and sales ads.
Under the changes, landlords and owners would be required to disclose if their property is accessible or adaptable to wheelchair users at the time of sale or lease.
The proposed change will be put forward by ACT Greens housing spokeswoman Caroline Le Couteur.
"If you're a person with limited mobility and you're looking for a house to live in - there's currently very little information listed on rental sales ads, so it's not always clear if this property can meet your needs," she said.
"There are many of these properties in Canberra - but if you don't know about it, it's exhausting to have to check individual properties, one by one.
"This simple amendment will help people with limited mobility maintain their independence, self-determination and choice in their lives."
In the ACT, 10 per cent of dwellings in new multi-unit developments must be adaptable. This was bought into ACT planning regulations in 2003.
In the development application stage, architects and developers are required to illustrate how adaptable dwellings can be made accessible to wheelchair users.
Adaptable dwellings must be able to be made accessible at a minimum cost. Examples include those with bigger bathrooms, doorway and corridors that can accommodate a wheelchair.
Architect Eric Martin, who worked on an advisory committee prior to the 2003 amendment, said many downsizers buy into multi-unit developments and this proposed change could allow them to make an informed decision.
"[It is] a welcome opportunity for them to be made aware and may well influence their decision to buy a unit so they can age in place," he said.
Mr Martin said he thought most people did not have knowledge of the 10 per cent rule and many homeowners may not be aware they own an adaptable dwelling.
"The documentation exists in the planning authority but frequently the owners and sellers are not aware of it," he said.
