As a landlord of a single-family residence, you are completely required to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, which obligates that you empower “reasonable accommodations” for not only disabled residents but, remember, also for those who live with or are closely associated with individuals with disabilities. Nevertheless, what clearly should be deemed as a “reasonable accommodation,” and how can you identify what would be considered “unreasonable”?
What is considered a reasonable accommodation?
To begin the ball rolling, “reasonable accommodation” can denote any physical changes made to a rental home. This might include basic modifications, such as lowering towel bars and light switches or outfitting a smoke alarm with flashing lights along with an audible alarm. Besides that, the resident is typically responsible for the costs directly connected with furnishing and pulling out these accommodations.
In conjunction with making physical accommodations to the residence, you could also be requested to provide “reasonable accommodations” on the administrative side. Such as, for illustration, if you have a resident with a mental disability that heavily affects their memory, they might request that you call them each month to suitably remind them to pay their rent. This request would be considered reasonable.
What is considered an unreasonable accommodation?
Let’s examine an example of what might be deemed ‘unreasonable.’ A primary key factor in this observation is whether the requested accommodation would cause significant hardship for you as a housing provider. For example, 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 imply significant construction work and be costly.
An unreasonable accommodation request can also ensue on the administrative side. Such as, if you own a single-family residence and come by with a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment demanding you to call them each morning and evening to easily 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 perceive the difference between reasonable and unreasonable accommodations under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Determinedly supporting residents with disabilities is principally important, but landlords should also be able to take in well their limits with respect to requests that may impose pressing burdens. By communicating openly and carefully accommodating within reasonable limits, landlords can create an inclusive environment while watchfully safeguarding their interests.
Real Property Management Wake County earnestly understands the Fair Housing Act and how it really affects you as a single-family homeowner in Morrisville and nearby. We can enormously help you know well these rules to ensure compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. If you want to find out a little more, please contact us online or at 919-747-3488.
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.
