Can Two People Use the Same Stairlift?

A question that sometimes comes up when installing a stairlift is whether two people in the same home can use the lift.

In most homes this works perfectly well. Stairlifts are designed to be used many times per day and it’s very common for two people in a household to share the same lift.

Features such as remote controls and swivel seats make this possible.

Using remote controls to share the stairlift

Stairlifts usually come with remote controls which allow the lift to be called or sent up and down the stairs.

This makes it easy for two people to use the lift. For example:

• User A travels upstairs and leaves the lift parked at the top
• User B remains downstairs
• User B presses the remote control to call the lift back down, or User A can send the lift back with the second remote located upstairs.

Once the stairlift reaches the bottom of the stairs it can be used normally again.

Manual swivel seats and two users

At the top of the stairs the seat normally swivels away from the staircase so the user can get on and off safely from the landing.

Many stairlifts come with a manual swivel seat as standard. This means the user turns the seat using a lever before stepping off the lift.

However, if the seat is left turned in this position the stairlift may not travel again until the seat is returned to its normal travel position.

In some situations this can create a small issue if another user wants to call the stairlift back down.

It may require the person upstairs to lean slightly towards the stairs to move the seat back into position, which isn’t always ideal from a safety point of view.

Why automatic swivel seats are often recommended

When two people use the same stairlift regularly, an automatic swivel seat can be a useful upgrade.

With this option the seat turns using a small motor rather than a manual lever. This means the stairlift can automatically return the seat to the correct travel position when the lift is called using the remote control.

Because the swivel movement is motor driven, the lift can still travel even if the previous user left the seat turned.

This removes the need for someone upstairs to lean over the stairs to reset the seat.

Sharing a stairlift at home

Many homes have two people using the same stairlift every day and it works very well with the right setup.

Remote controls allow the lift to be called easily, and features such as automatic swivel seats can make sharing the lift even more convenient.

If you’re unsure which stairlift options would work best for your home, you can always request a quote or survey and we’ll be happy to help.

Sharing a stairlift – FAQs

Can two people use the same stairlift?

Yes. Stairlifts are designed to be used many times per day and can easily be shared between two people in the same household.

Do all stairlifts come with remote controls?

Yes. Stairlifts normally include remote controls so the lift can be called from either end of the staircase.

What happens if the seat is left turned?

If the stairlift has a manual swivel seat it may need to be returned to its normal position before the lift can travel again.

Are automatic swivel seats better for two users?

They can be helpful because the seat can return to the correct position automatically when the stairlift is called.

Is sharing a stairlift common?

Yes. Many homes have two people using the same stairlift every day.