There are many instances where a landlord is required by law to comply with certain regulations and one of the more important ones is the Federal Fair Housing Act’s ‘reasonable accommodations,’ where landlords are tasked by the law to provide accommodations not only to disabled residents but to those who live with or are associated with disabled individuals as well. What then is this ‘reasonable accommodation’ and what would make a request ‘unreasonable’? As an Apopka landlord with a single-family residence, you must be knowledgeable of this particular law.
To start with, ‘reasonable accommodation’ may be for the physical elements of the rental home and might include basic modifications, such as lowering towel bars and light switches or installing a smoke alarm that has flashing lights in addition to an audible alarm. Additionally, the resident would pay for both the installation and removal of these accommodations.
In addition to accommodations of the physical aspects of the residence, you may be asked to provide ‘reasonable accommodation’ on the administrative side as well. For example, you might have a resident with a mental disability that affects their memory. This resident might request that you call each month to remind them to pay the rent. This request would be considered reasonable.
Now let’s look at an example of what might be considered ‘unreasonable.’ One of the key considerations in this respect is whether the accommodation would impose hardship on you as a housing provider. For example, suppose you own a two-story single-family rental house and receive a request that you install an elevator for a person with a physical disability. This could be denied as it would require major construction and cost a great deal on your part as the housing provider.
An unreasonable accommodation request could appear on the administrative side as well. Suppose you own a single-family residence and receive a request from a potential resident with a mental impairment to call them each morning and evening to remind them to turn the exterior lights on at night and off in the morning. This could be considered unreasonable, and you as a landlord could deny this request.
Real Property Management Freedom is well-versed in the Fair Housing Act requirements and how they apply to you as an Apopka landlord with a single-family residence. We can help you navigate these requirements to ensure that you are in compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. Would you like to learn more? Please contact us online or call us at 407-624-4706 for more information.