As a Brentwood landlord with a single-family property, you must observe the Federal Fair Housing Act’s requirement to provide ‘reasonable accommodations’ not only to disabled residents but also to residents who live with or are involved with disabled persons. However, what is ‘reasonable accommodation’ and what would be ‘unreasonable’?
Firstly, ‘reasonable accommodation’ can be the rental property’s physical components and include basic modifications like lowering light switches and towel rods or a smoke alarm with flashing lights along with an audible sound. Furthermore, the resident would shoulder the expenses for both the installation and removal of these accommodations.
Besides these accommodations to the home’s physical aspects, you may be asked to give ‘reasonable accommodation’ on administrative matters. For instance, you might have a resident with a memory-related mental disability. This resident might request that you call monthly to remind them to pay rent. This would be considered reasonable.
Now, let’s look at an instance of what would be thought of as ‘unreasonable.’ One of the primary concerns in this respect is if the accommodation will impose hardship on you as a housing provider. For example, suppose you have a two-story single-family rental property and receive a request that you put in an elevator for somebody with a physical disability. This could be refused as it would be pricey and necessitate major construction.
An unreasonable accommodation request might emerge on the administrative side too. Suppose you own a single-family residence and get a request from a potential tenant with a mental impairment to call them each morning and evening to remind them to turn the outdoor lights on at night and off in the morning. This could be considered unreasonable and you as a landlord can refuse this request.
Real Property Management One is proficient in the Fair Housing Act requirements and how they affect you as a Brentwood landlord with a single-family property. We can help you navigate these requirements to make sure that you are in compliance when renting to individuals with disabilities. Would you like to learn more? For more information, please contact us online or call us at 925-794-8339.
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.
