As a Hewitt landlord for a single-family property, you need to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act’s requirement to give ‘reasonable accommodations’ not only to disabled residents but also to residents who stay with or are associated with people with disabilities. However, what is ‘reasonable accommodation’ and what would be ‘unreasonable’?
To start with, ‘reasonable accommodation’ may be for the physical components of the rental home and might include simple modifications, such as lowering light switches and towel bars or a smoke alarm equipped with flashing lights together with an audible alarm. Additionally, the resident would shoulder the expenses for both the installation and removal of these accommodations.
In addition to accommodations to the property’s physical components, your tenant may ask for ‘reasonable accommodation’ on the administrative side. For example, you might have a resident with a mental disability involving their memory. This resident may request that you call each month to remind them to pay rent. This would be regarded as reasonable.
Now, let’s look at an instance of what could be deemed ‘unreasonable.’ In this regard, one of the primary considerations is whether the accommodation would be burdensome for you as a housing provider. For example, suppose you have a two-story single-family rental property and a tenant with a physical disability, requests that you install an elevator. This could be denied as it can be very pricey and would need major construction.
An unreasonable accommodation request can appear on the administrative side as well. Suppose you own a single-family home and receive a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment to call them every morning and evening to remind them to switch the exterior lights off in the morning and on at night. You as a landlord could refuse this request as this could be considered unreasonable.
Real Property Management Talent knows the Fair Housing Act requirements very well and how they concern you as a Hewitt landlord with a single-family home. We can help you deal with these requirements to ensure that you are in compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. Would you like to know more? Please contact us online or call us at 254-401-0400 for more information.
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.
