61 million Americans live with a disability. Landlords have a legal responsibility to provide fair and accessible housing for tenants with disabilities. Kellogg Agency takes all accommodation requests seriously. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to commercial spaces. The Fair Housing Act applies to residential rental units.
The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a landmark civil rights law that protects people from discrimination in housing-related activities like renting, buying, and obtaining financing. It prevents discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. For people with disabilities, the FHA requires landlords and property owners to make reasonable accommodations and modifications that enable equal access to housing. The FHA ensures everyone has the opportunity to live in safe and accessible housing.
Reasonable Accommodations
Landlords are required to make "reasonable accommodations" to policies, practices, or services to provide equal access to housing. For example:
- Allowing service or emotional support animals: Even if a property has a "no pets" policy, landlords must accommodate service animals and emotional support animals without charging additional fees or deposits.
- Providing accessible parking: Tenants may request designated accessible parking spots if available near their units.
- Adjusting communication methods: This could mean providing notices in larger print and using relay services for tenants with hearing impairments.
Reasonable Modifications
In addition to accommodations, tenants with disabilities may request reasonable modifications to the rental unit. This includes physical changes, such as:
- Installing grab bars in bathrooms
- Installing ramps
- Widening doorways
While landlords cannot deny reasonable modification requests, they may require the tenant to cover the costs. Landlords can also ask the tenant to restore the unit to its original condition when they move out.
Fair Housing Complaints
Tenants who feel they’ve experienced discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD can investigate these complaints and enforce penalties for violations. Fighting a fair housing complaint can cost thousands of dollars.
What Kellogg Agency Does to Reduce Your Risk
We assure we comply with all local, state, and federal laws conferring disability. Some of the ways we reduce your risk are:
- Screening: each applicant goes through the same screening process.
- Experience: we have worked with tenants with disabilities to make accommodations and modifications.
- Knowledge: we take fair housing continuing education courses regularly.
We take fair housing seriously. We document requests, responses, and actions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws to protect you and your rental.