WHAT ARE YOUR HOUSING RIGHTS?

WHAT CHANGES CAN BE MADE?

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

At the request of a person with a disability, a housing provider must make changes in rules, policies, practices or services which (1) are reasonable under the circumstances, and (2) give a tenant with disabilities equal opportunity to use and enjoy the residence. A housing provider may ask a tenant for verification of the need for reasonable accommodations. Examples include:

• a landlord waiving a "no-pets" rule for a tenant who is emotionally dependent on her pet or uses the pet as a service animal.
• waiving a no-guest rule for a tenant who needs a live-in aide.
• changing the date on which rent is due to allow tenants time to deposit their disability check.
• arranging to have a staff person pick up the trash from the apartment of a tenant who is ill.
• providing large print notices for a vision-impaired tenant, or a sign-language interpreter for a tenant who is hearing-impaired.
• changing parking rules to enable a tenant with disabilities to have parking that meets his/her needs.

REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS

A housing provider must allow a tenant with a disability to make changes to the physical structure of the premises, that (1) are reasonable and (2) give a tenant with disabilities equal access and full enjoyment of the residence. Examples include:

• installing grab bars
• doorknobs with lever handles
• widening doorways for wheelchair access
• installing a ramp at the entrance to the building

The tenant is usually expected to pay for the reasonable modifications to their unit, and may be required to restore the premises to the original condition upon moving out. For multi-unit housing built before 1991, the landlord must allow the tenant to make reasonable modifications to common areas, but the tenant is responsible for the cost. However, the landlord is responsible for making reasonable modifications in common areas if: (1) the landlord receives federal funds; or (2) the common space is used by the public regularly and for a specific purpose, thus making it subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

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