As a landlord of a single-family residence, you are, for certain, required to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, which imposes that you offer “reasonable accommodations” for not only disabled residents but, in reality, also for those who live with or are closely tied to individuals with disabilities. But, really, what, straightforwardly, should be accounted for as a “reasonable accommodation,” and how can you know what would be considered “unreasonable”?
What is considered a reasonable accommodation?
To start, “reasonable accommodation” can speak of any 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. In conjunction with that, the resident is typically responsible for the costs directly associated with installing and taking out these accommodations.
Together with making physical accommodations to the residence, you could likewise be requested to provide “reasonable accommodations” on the administrative side. Such as, for instance, if you have a resident with a mental disability that hugely affects their memory, they might request that you call them each month to promptly remind them to pay their rent. This request would be considered reasonable.
What is considered an unreasonable accommodation?
Let’s inspect an example of what might be deemed ‘unreasonable.’ A pertinent key factor in this exploration is whether the requested accommodation would cause significant hardship for you as a housing provider. For illustration, 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 oblige significant construction work and be costly.
An unreasonable accommodation request can also certainly arise on the administrative side. As for example, if you own a single-family residence and obtain a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment desiring for you to call them each and every morning and evening to, at a suitable time, 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 assimilate the difference between reasonable and unreasonable accommodations under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Determinedly supporting residents with disabilities is critical key, but landlords should also determine their limits as concerns requests that may impose massive burdens. By communicating openly and earnestly accommodating within reasonable limits, landlords can create an inclusive environment while mindfully safeguarding their interests.
Real Property Management Gold determinedly understands the Fair Housing Act and how it actually affects you as a single-family homeowner in Lusby and nearby. We can especially help you properly understand these rules to ensure compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. If you want to know more essential info, please contact us online or at 301-392-2172.
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.
