Received a Reasonable Accommodation Request in Moorhead?

Man with disability and his service dog providing assistance. Managing one’s own property can be challenging. You may have only recently learned that certain behavior standards must be adhered to to accommodate those with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act may be violated by refusing to make a reasonable accommodation. Even if unintentional, committing this type of infraction can cost you years in court and a lot of money on costly attorneys. Familiarizing yourself with this topic can spare you a great deal of trouble.

What is a Reasonable Request?

No matter what their unique circumstances may be, as a landlord with a rental property, you naturally want to make accommodations for all of your tenants. How do you find out if your potential tenant has a disability, though? Dealing with this situation is like navigating a minefield; use caution.

If a person’s disability is evident and their request is appropriate for their condition, you should immediately grant their request. Only if it is uncertain how the request relates to their disability can you request additional information about the request. If a person’s disability is NOT obvious, you can request supplementary documentation that the requested accommodation is related to the person’s disability. This can be given by a medical professional, peer support group, non-medical service organization, or other trustworthy third party. You shouldn’t ask for medical records.

Not every person with a disability will need to ask for reasonable accommodation. Nonetheless, individuals with disabilities have the right to request or receive reasonable modifications or accommodations at any time.

What Information Can You Ask Your Tenants to Provide?

You might be interested to learn more about your accommodation when you get a request for a reasonable adjustment or accommodation. You must make sure to abide by all laws and guidelines about people with disabilities as a property manager. When collecting information from a person with a disability, only request the information necessary to provide a suitable modification or to ensure the safety and accessibility of the property.

You are limited to asking for information about the individual’s disability-related necessities to offer them a reasonable accommodation, such as a wheelchair ramp or an accessible parking location. You can ask for emergency contact details in case of an emergency. You can enquire about the breed and training of an assistance animal if the owner is a person with a disability.

You may request proof of the person’s condition from a medical practitioner if—and only if—it is unclear how the request is connected to their disability.

It’s important to keep in mind that people with disabilities should always be treated with respect and decency, and questions about their lives should never be intrusive or unwarranted. In addition, all data should be kept private and shared only with those who truly need to know.

Are Your Properties Exempt?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that businesses, landlords, and public accommodations in the United States make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities who stay on their premises. However, the ADA’s requirements for reasonable accommodations do not apply to all buildings.

Owner-occupied private properties with no more than four units, including single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums, are often exempt from the ADA’s reasonable accommodation requirements. In certain instances, however, state and local fair housing regulations may still require landlords to provide reasonable accommodations.