Received a Reasonable Accommodation Request in Roosevelt?

Man with disability and his service dog providing assistance. It can be difficult to manage your own property. You might have just lately realized that certain standards of conduct must be adhered to in order to accommodate persons who have disabilities. Refusing to provide a reasonable accommodation may constitute a Fair Housing Act violation. Even if unintentional, committing such an offense can cost you years in court and thousands of dollars on costly attorneys. You’ll save a lot of hassle by making the effort to educate yourself on the issue.

What is a Reasonable Request?

Of course, as a landlord with a place to rent, you want to make every effort to accommodate each one of your tenants, regardless of their unique situation. But how can you tell whether a potential tenant is disabled? Managing such a scenario is analogous to traversing a minefield; proceed with prudence.

You ought to grant someone’s request immediately and quickly if their disability is evident and it pertains to that condition. If it is unclear how the request relates to their impairment, only then should you inquire about further details regarding the request. If a person’s impairment is NOT immediately apparent, you can request verification to ensure that the requested accommodation is in fact connected to the person’s disability. This can be provided by a physician, a non-medical service agency, a peer support group, or another trustworthy third party. Requesting medical records is inappropriate.

Not all people with disabilities will require reasonable accommodation. However, anyone with a disability has the right to request or receive a reasonable modification or accommodation at any time.

What Information Can You Ask Your Tenants to Provide?

You might be interested in learning more about your accommodation after you get a request for one or learn of a reasonable change. As a property manager, you must ensure compliance with all disability-related rules and regulations. When collecting details from a person with a disability, only request the information necessary to provide a reasonable accommodation or to ensure the safety and accessibility of the property.

To set up a reasonable accommodation, such as a wheelchair ramp or an accessible parking space, you may only inquire about the person’s needs connected to their disability. You also have the option to ask for emergency contact information. Asking about the breed and training of the animal is acceptable if a person with a disability has one.

You may ask for medical expert confirmation of the person’s condition if, and only if, it is unclear how the request is connected to their handicap.

It is vital to remember to treat individuals who have disabilities with dignity and respect and to avoid requesting unnecessary or intrusive information. In addition, only those who need to know should be privy to the collected information.

Are Your Properties Exempt?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the majority of properties in the United States, including commercial properties, rental properties, and public accommodations, to comply with reasonable accommodation requests from individuals with disabilities. However, the ADA’s reasonable accommodation standards do not apply to all properties.

Owner-occupied private residences, including single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums, with no more than four units are exempt from the ADA’s reasonable accommodation standards. The state and local fair housing laws may, however, nevertheless impose restrictions on landlords, requiring them to make reasonable concessions in some circumstances.