How Often Should a Stairlift Be Serviced?

A stairlift is a piece of equipment that carries a person up and down stairs every day, so keeping it in good order matters. Regular servicing helps catch worn parts and weak batteries before they cause a breakdown.

For a stairlift in your own home

Manufacturers generally recommend that domestic stairlifts are serviced at least once a year. Your user manual or warranty paperwork may give a specific schedule for your model.

Keeping to the recommended schedule is often a condition of a manufacturer’s warranty or service plan, so check your paperwork if the lift is still covered.

A lift that is used many times a day, or a curved stairlift with more moving parts, may benefit from being checked more often. Ask the engineer what they recommend for your lift.

When LOLER applies

LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It applies to lifting equipment used at work, which can include stairlifts and hoists in:

• care homes and other workplaces
• homes where care workers use the equipment as part of their job
• properties where a landlord or housing provider supplies the equipment

Under LOLER, equipment used to lift people usually needs a thorough examination every 6 months by a competent person. This is separate from routine servicing. If you are a landlord, housing provider or care provider, check your own obligations.

The same applies to ceiling hoists and through-floor lifts used in these settings.

What a stairlift service usually includes

A typical service may include:

1. Checking the batteries and charging system
2. Testing all safety edges and switches on the footrest and carriage
3. Checking the seat, swivel, seatbelt and armrests
4. Testing the controls and remotes
5. Inspecting the rail, drive and any curves
6. Cleaning and, where needed, lubricating parts
7. Checking for wear and advising on anything that may need replacing

See stairlift servicing for more on what the engineers we work with check.

Signs your stairlift needs checking sooner

Do not wait for the next service if you notice:

• beeping or error codes (see our stairlift beeping guide)
• slower travel or stopping part way
• new noises, juddering or jerky movement
• batteries that do not seem to hold charge
• a seatbelt, swivel or footrest that feels loose or stiff

These can be early signs of a problem that is cheaper to fix now than after a breakdown. Our stairlift not working guide covers the safe checks you can do.

Batteries and servicing

Batteries typically need replacing every few years, commonly 2 to 5 depending on use. A service is a good time to have them tested. See stairlift battery replacement.

Looking after the lift between services

• Park the chair at a charging point after every use.
• Keep the wall socket switched on.
• Keep the stairs and rail clear.
• Wipe the rail with a dry cloth if dust builds up, without using sprays or oils unless the manual says so.
• Lock the seat and lower the footrest fully before travelling.
• Note any new noises or warnings and mention them at the next service, or sooner if they get worse.

Is servicing worth the cost?

Which? found that around 37% of stairlift owners needed a repair, and reported out-of-warranty call-outs of up to about £275 plus parts. A regular service will not prevent every fault, but it can reduce the chance of being left without a working lift. Our stairlift repair cost guide explains typical prices.

Book a service

We can put you through to an independent engineer for a stairlift service anywhere in Liverpool and Merseyside, from Woolton to Formby.

Request a call-back