As a landlord of a single-family residence, you are, doubtless, required to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, which dictates that you accept “reasonable accommodations” for not only disabled residents but, likewise, for those who live with or are strongly associated with individuals with disabilities. But, on the other hand, what can be unmistakably taken into account as a “reasonable accommodation,” and how can you recognize what would be considered “unreasonable”?
What is considered a reasonable accommodation?
At the outset, “reasonable accommodation” can make reference to physical changes made to a rental home. This might include basic modifications, such as lowering towel bars and light switches or proactively installing a smoke alarm with flashing lights along with an audible alarm. Furthermore, the resident is typically responsible for the costs closely tied to installing and taking out these accommodations.
In conjunction with making physical accommodations to the residence, you could also be requested to provide “reasonable accommodations” on the administrative side. For illustration, if you have a resident with a mental disability that severely affects their memory, they might request that you call them each month, at a suitable time, to pay their rent. This request would be considered reasonable.
What is considered an unreasonable accommodation?
Let’s seriously consider an example of what might be deemed ‘unreasonable.’ A significant factor in this observation is whether the requested accommodation would cause significant hardship for you as a housing provider. Such as, for instance, clearly 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 constitute significant construction work and be costly.
An unreasonable accommodation request can also develop on the administrative side. As an example, if you own a single-family residence and encounter a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment desiring for you to call them every morning and evening to aptly 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 get the difference between reasonable and unreasonable accommodations under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Mindfully supporting residents with disabilities is primary, but landlords should also ascertain their limits pertaining to requests that may impose sizable burdens. By communicating openly and intently accommodating within reasonable limits, landlords can create an inclusive environment while determinedly safeguarding their interests.
Real Property Management Optimum properly understands the Fair Housing Act and how it tremendously affects you as a single-family homeowner in Alexandria and nearby. We can help you definitely understand these rules to ensure compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. If you want to find out a little more, please contact us online or at 320-289-4649.
Originally Published on May 11, 2018
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.
