Types of Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications
Tenants with disabilities can ask for reasonable accommodations and modifications.
- Reasonable accommodations: A change or exception to a housing provider’s rule, policy, regulation, practice, program, or service that will help the person with a disability have equal access and use the unit and common areas.
- Reasonable modifications: A structural change to the unit or common area so that the person can access and use the premises.
Type of Accommodation or Modification | Examples of Solutions |
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Smoke-Free and Allergy/Chemical-Free Environment | A landlord might have to help a tenant with severe asthma, allergies, chemical sensitivities, or other respiratory conditions by:
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Live-In Aide | A landlord may need to accommodate a tenant who needs a live-in aide. The live-in aide helps a person with a disability. They can be a profession or a family member.
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Criminal History | If the applicant's criminal history is connected to their disability, the landlord may need to adjust their rules.
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Credit History | If the applicant's low credit is connected to their disability, the landlord may need to adjust their rules.
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Hoarding | A landlord might have to help a tenant who hoards because of a disability by:
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Communication | A landlord might have to help a tenant who has a disability that impairs their ability to communicate by:
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Assistance Animals | A landlord may need to accommodate a tenant who needs an assistance animal. The animal needs to perform tasks or provide emotional support for their disability. The assistance animal may be:
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Parking | Some residents may need a formal accessible parking space or a reserved parking space close to an entrance. The landlord can accommodate by:
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Early Lease Termination or Transfer | Residents with disabilities who reside in a unit that is not accessible may request as an accommodation to:
Landlords may need to waive any associated fees unless the waiver creates an undue burden. |
Extra Time to Move | Someone with a disability might need extra time to find a new place to live because it's hard to find homes that are affordable and accessible. |
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.