Received a Reasonable Accommodation Request in Kaukauna?

It can be difficult to manage your own property. You might have just lately realized that certain standards of conduct must be adhered to in order to accommodate persons who have disabilities. The Fair Housing Act may be broken if reasonable accommodations are not made. Even accidentally breaking that rule might lead to years in court and money you’d rather not spend on pricey lawyers. You’ll avoid a lot of grief if you make the effort to educate yourself on the subject.

What is a Reasonable Request?

Naturally, as a landlord with a rental property, you want to make every effort to accommodate each of your tenants, regardless of their unique circumstances. However, how do you ascertain if a potential tenant has a disability? It’s like navigating a minefield to manage a situation like this; continue with caution.

If a person’s disability is evident and their request is appropriate for their condition, you should immediately grant their request. If it is unclear how the request relates to their impairment, only then should you inquire about further details regarding the request. Asking for verification will allow you to confirm that the requested accommodation is connected to the person’s disability if their impairment is NOT immediately apparent. The provision of this can be made by a physician, peer support group, non-medical service organization, or other trustworthy third party. Requests for medical records shouldn’t be made.

Not every person with a disability will need to ask for reasonable accommodation. The right to request or receive a reasonable accommodation or reasonable modification is, however, a fundamental human right that all people with disabilities have access to at all times.

What Information Can You Ask Your Tenants to Provide?

You might be interested in learning more about your accommodation after you get a request for one or learn of a reasonable change. You must be sure to abide by all applicable handicap laws and standards as a property manager. When collecting information from a person with a disability, only request the information necessary to provide a suitable modification or to ensure the safety and accessibility of the property.

You may only inquire about a person’s disability-related needs if you need to provide reasonable accommodations, like a ramp for a wheelchair or an accessible parking space. You may request emergency contact information in the event of an emergency. If an individual with a disability has a support animal, you may ask about the breed and training of the animal.

You may request proof of the person’s condition from a medical practitioner if—and only if—it is unclear how the request is connected to their disability.

It is crucial to keep in mind to show respect and decency to people with disabilities and to refrain from prying or making needless inquiries. Furthermore, all data you gather should be kept confidential and only shared with those who have a particular need to know.

Are Your Properties Exempt?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the majority of properties in the United States, including commercial properties, rental properties, and public accommodations, to comply with reasonable accommodation requests from individuals with disabilities. However, certain properties are exempt from the ADA’s reasonable accommodation requirements.

Owner-occupied private residences, including single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums, with no more than four units are exempt from the ADA’s reasonable accommodation standards. The state and local fair housing laws may, however, nevertheless impose restrictions on landlords, requiring them to make reasonable concessions in some circumstances.