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Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to:

  • the Leasehold Advisory Service website – www.lease-advice.org
  • the LEASE Contact website – clients.lease-advice.org
  • the LEASE Park Homes Advice website – parkhomes.lease-advice.org
  • the LEASE Decisions website – decisions.lease-advice.org
  • the LEASE E-learning website – learn.lease-advice.org

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of these websites are not fully accessible, further details of which are provided under paragraph 7 (Non-compliance).

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on these websites in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with these websites

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of our websites and as such we welcome user input. If you find any problems not listed in this statement or identify further accessibility issues, then please email or telephone us using the contact details provided in paragraph 2.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about these websites’ accessibility

LEASE is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

These websites are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

This section lists the ways in which this website fails to meet the WCAG 2.1 success criteria. It includes all violations of A and AA success criteria.

  1. Audio Description or Media Alternative. Neither audio description nor media alternative are provided to describe visual information within video content to blind or visually impaired users. We are working with our sponsor department, DLUHC, on improvements to the LEASE websites and online offer to customers. This involves research with customers and testing prototypes to ensure they meet their full range of needs. We expect is that this will recommend a considerable level of change to our website, and we will review the proportionality of compliance in light of taking our work forward through a Beta where these accessibility issues will be addressed. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  2. Audio-only and Video-only. There is no alternative to the audio-only content for users who are deaf, are hard of hearing, or who may have trouble understanding audio information. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  3. Bleedthrough. Content has been visually hidden from the page by positioning it offscreen within the CSS, but it has not been hidden from assistive technology. Screen reader users encounter the content as if it were positioned within the page. The focusable components within the content are in tab sequence which means that keyboard focus disappears as it traverses components which are not visible on the page. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  4. Bypass Blocks. There is no visible skip link present to allow users reliant on the use of the keyboard alone to navigate to bypass blocks of repeated content at the start of every web page and skip directly to the main page content. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  5. Captions Prerecorded. There are no captions to present the audio within the synchronised media to deaf users. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  6. Carousel. There is a visually hidden heading introducing content as a ‘Carousel’. This does not reflect the behaviour of the content. There is also a ‘Show all carousel content’ link which does not appear to do anything. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  7. Combobox. WAI-ARIA roles have been used which are not in accordance with the ARIA pattern. Assistive technology may not be able recognise the functionality of these components in order to present their full purpose users. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  8. Content on Hover or Focus. There is content triggered on mouse hover and keyboard focus which obscures other content and cannot be dismissed without moving the mouse pointer. The additional content may interfere with users viewing or operating the page’s original content. This may cause difficulties for low vision users requiring a high level of page magnification. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  9. Contrast Minimum. The white text against the orange (#ff4a0f) background fails colour contrast guidelines with a ratio of 3.4:1. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  10. CSS Content. Non-decorative content conveying information has been inserted using CSS pseudo-elements and the ‘content’ property. This includes the item numbering, and an icon indicating whether the accordion is open or closed. Assistive technologies may not be able to access information that is inserted using CSS. This may be presented inconsistently by assistive technology, for example, with Screen reading software, these may be presented as ‘unpronounceable’, or they may be bypassed completely. Additionally, for users requiring the ability to switch off the CSS, these labels disappear. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  11. Custom Controls. Custom behaviour has been associated with controls which is not presented to assistive technology. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  12. Custom Tooltip. For the tooltips, actionable behaviour has been associated with non-semantic <span> elements which do not have a role and are not keyboard focusable. This means that keyboard only users cannot operate these components. There is nothing to indicate to screen reader users that these components are interactive, or what their purpose is. Voice activation users will be unable to reference these components by name or role to their assistive technology. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  13. Decorative Images. Non-text content is used for pure decoration but is not implemented in a way that it can be ignored by assistive technology. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  14. Dialog. Modal dialogs did not trap focus. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  15. Emulating Links. Actionable behaviour has been associated with non-semantic elements which do not behave as expected with assistive technology. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  16. Expandable Regions. The behaviour of components with show/hide functionality could not be programmatically determined in order for this behaviour to be presented to users by assistive technologies. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  17. Focus Order. Focusable components did not receive focus in an order that preserved meaning and operability. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  18. Focus Visible. There were components with no mechanism to enable users to identify when they were in focus. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  19. Form Groups. Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  20. Headings. Information, structure and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  21. Image Links. Images contained within links did not provide a suitable text alternative. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  22. Images as Labels. Images acting as labels did not offer a suitable text alternative. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  23. Incorrect Use of ARIA. WAI-ARIA roles were used but did not follow the design pattern to ensure that all behaviour, information and functionality were correctly exposed to assistive technologies. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  24. Information and Relationships. Information, structure and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  25. Information Conveyed by Font Styling. Font styling alone was used to distinguish, emphasise, or add context to text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  26. Keyboard. There was functionality within the content that was not operable through a keyboard interface. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  27. Label in Name. The accessible name for user interface components did not contain the text that is presented visually as the label. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  28. Labels not Programmatically Associated. Labels were not programmatically associated with the corresponding component. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  29. Labels or Instructions. Labels or instructions were not provided when content requires user input. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  30. Link Purpose. The purpose of links could not be determined from the link text together with the programmatically determined link context (i.e. text in the same paragraph, list or table cell as the link or in a table header cell that is associated with the table cell that contains the link). The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  31. Main Region. The presence and purpose of a region of information has been indicated via visual styling alone and is not programmatically determinable or offer a text alternative. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  32. Meaningful Sequence. When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence could not be programmatically determined. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  33. Multiple Ways. There was not more than one way available to locate a Web page within a set of Web pages. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  34. Name Role Value. There were user interface components for which the name and role could not be programmatically determined or for which notifications of changes to the state, properties, or values was not available to assistive technologies. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  35. Nondescriptive Headings. Headings did not sufficiently describe the topic or purpose of the content. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  36. Nondescriptive Labels. Labels did not sufficiently describe the topic or purpose of the content. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  37. NonText Content. Non-text content did not have a text alternative that served the equivalent purpose. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  38. Nontext Contrast. Visual information required to identify user interface components and their states had an insufficient colour contrast ratio against adjacent colours. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  39. On Focus. When a user interface component receives focus, it initiates a change of context. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  40. On Input. Changing the setting of any user interface component automatically causes a change of context without advising the user of the behaviour prior to use. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  41. Page Titled. Pages did not have titles that described the topic or purpose of the page. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  42. Pagination. The purpose of pagination links was not programmatically determinable. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  43. Parsing. Elements were present that did not have complete start and end tags, were not nested according to their specifications, contained duplicate attributes or had non-unique IDs. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  44. Pause Stop Hide. There is auto-updating information that starts automatically and is presented in parallel with other content for which there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  45. PDF Contrast Minimum. The colour contrast ratio does not meet guidelines requiring that the visual presentation of standard text has a colour contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 and that large text has a colour contrast ratio of at least 3:1. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  46. PDF Field Labels. Labels were not properly associated with the corresponding component. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  47. PDF Flow Diagram. When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence could not be programmatically determined. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  48. PDF Headings. Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  49. PDF Images. Non-text content did not have a text alternative that served the equivalent purpose. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  50. PDF Language. The default human language of the document could not be programmatically determined. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  51. PDF Lists. Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  52. PDF Reading Order. When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence could not be programmatically determined. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  53. PDF Tables. Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  54. PDF Tags. Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation were not programmatically determined or available in text. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  55. PDF Untitled. PDF documents did not have a title. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  56. Reflow. The presence and purpose of a region of information has been indicated via visual styling alone and is not programmatically determinable or offer a text alternative. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  57. Regions. The presence and purpose of a region of information has been indicated via visual styling alone and is not programmatically determinable or offer a text alternative. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  58. Scrollable Regions. There were embedded scrollable regions on the page which were not operable through a keyboard interface. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  59. Status Messages. Status messages could not be programmatically determined through role or properties in order that they could be presented to users by assistive technologies without receiving focus. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  60. Tabs. Actionable behaviour has been associated with non-semantic elements which do not behave as expected with assistive technology. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  61. Unlabelled Controls. Neither visible label nor accessible names were provided for all user interface components. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.
  62. Use of Colour. Colour was used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. The LEASE websites are under review, see full detail in issue 1 above. We will complete the review by the end of September 2023.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

  • PDFs and other documents. The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
  • Videos. Pre-recorded videos provide no audio descriptions for the video content. The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix pre-recorded time-based media published before 23rd September 2020.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was initially prepared on 7 June 2023. It will be reviewed on 7 September 2023.

Improving accessibility

This website was tested in a full third-party accessibility audit in February 2022. This accessibility statement has been prepared to reflect the results of this assessment, also taking into account the issues that we resolved since that audit.
Department for Leveling Up, Housing & Communities logoDepartment for Leveling Up, Housing & Communities logo

LEASE is governed by a board, appointed as individuals by the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

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