As a landlord of a single-family residence, you are, completely, required to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, which orders that you indulge “reasonable accommodations” for not only disabled residents but, really, also for those who live with or are clearly related to individuals with disabilities. Then again, what should easily be counted as a “reasonable accommodation,” and how can you determine what would be considered “unreasonable”?
What is considered a reasonable accommodation?
To start, “reasonable accommodation” can speak of physical changes made to a rental home. This might include basic modifications, such as lowering towel bars and light switches or outfitting a smoke alarm with flashing lights along with an audible alarm. What’s more, the resident is typically responsible for the costs connected with setting up and stripping away these accommodations.
Added to making physical accommodations to the residence, you may likewise be needed to provide “reasonable accommodations” on the administrative side. To cite an instance, if you have a resident with a mental disability that gravely affects their memory, they might request that you call them each month to, at an opportune time, remind them to pay their rent. This request would be considered reasonable.
What is considered an unreasonable accommodation?
Let’s take this as an example of what might be deemed ‘unreasonable.’ A necessary factor in this observation is whether the requested accommodation would cause significant hardship for you as a housing provider. For example, expressly imagine you own a two-story single-family rental home and receive a request to install an elevator for a tenant with a physical disability. You could reasonably deny this request, as it would surely involve significant construction work and be costly.
An unreasonable accommodation request can also originate on the administrative side. Such as, for example, if you own a single-family residence and find a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment requesting you to call them each and every morning and evening to promptly remind them to turn the exterior lights on at night and off in the morning, this request could be deemed unreasonable. As a landlord, you would have the right to deny this request.
Landlords must take in the difference between reasonable and unreasonable accommodations under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Conscientiously supporting residents with disabilities is principal, but landlords should also figure out their limits on the subject of requests that may impose great burdens. By communicating openly and appropriately accommodating within reasonable limits, landlords can create an inclusive environment while definitely safeguarding their interests.
Real Property Management California Coast conscientiously understands the Fair Housing Act and how it seriously affects you as a single-family homeowner in El Segundo and nearby. We can enormously help you comprehend these rules to ensure compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. If you want to know a little bit more, please contact us online or at 310-535-2150.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
