As a landlord of a single-family residence, you are, seriously, required to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, which decrees that you give approval for “reasonable accommodations” for not only disabled residents but, in actuality, also for those who live with or are closely connected with individuals with disabilities. But, at any rate, what apparently can be looked upon as a “reasonable accommodation,” and how can you tell what would be considered “unreasonable”?
What is considered a reasonable accommodation?
To set the tone, firstly, “reasonable accommodation” can signify whatever physical changes made to a rental home. This might include basic modifications, such as lowering towel bars and light switches or carefully putting up a smoke alarm with flashing lights along with an audible alarm. At the same time, the resident is typically responsible for the costs closely associated with adding and stripping away these accommodations.
Apart from making physical accommodations to the residence, you could likewise be required to provide “reasonable accommodations” on the administrative side. Such as, for illustration, if you have a resident with a mental disability that deeply affects their memory, they might request that you call them each month to conveniently remind them to pay their rent. This request would be considered reasonable.
What is considered an unreasonable accommodation?
Let’s explore an example of what might be deemed ‘unreasonable.’ A necessary key factor in this observation is whether the requested accommodation would cause significant hardship for you as a housing provider. By way of illustration, openly 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 demand significant construction work and be costly.
An unreasonable accommodation request can also come about on the administrative side. For example, if you own a single-family residence and lay hold of a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment seeking for you to call them every morning and evening to, in a timely manner, remind them to turn the exterior lights on at night then off in the morning, this request could be deemed unreasonable. As a landlord, you would have the right to deny this request.
Landlords must clearly fathom the difference between reasonable and unreasonable accommodations under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Resolutely supporting residents with disabilities is salient, but landlords should also assimilate their limits in regard to requests that may impose immense burdens. By communicating openly and determinedly accommodating within reasonable limits, landlords can create an inclusive environment while heedfully safeguarding their interests.
Real Property Management Eclipse completely understands the Fair Housing Act and how it certainly affects you as a single-family homeowner in Seattle and nearby. We can help you utterly understand these rules to ensure compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. If you want to get more vitally important info, please contact us online or at 425-209-0252.
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.
