| It can be difficult or uncomfortable to respond to | | | | mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, |
| reasonable tenant requests. Of course there are | | | | chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS Related Complex |
| requests that must be agreed to and some that are in | | | | and mental retardation) that substantially limits a major |
| your favor to do. But what about all those tenant | | | | life activity or a record of such a disability or is |
| requests from good tenants that are reasonable, but | | | | regarded as having such a disability". |
| after all it's your cost. | | | | Who Pays for the Improvements: Its important to be |
| For the purposes of tenant improvement requests we | | | | clear here so we are quoting form the HUD web site. |
| see three different kinds of tenants. | | | | Reasonable Accommodations: The housing provider is |
| The New Tenant: Often the requests come during the | | | | responsible for ensuring general access to the facility |
| approval process or at the move in inspection. All | | | | and meeting minimum accessibility standards. This may |
| requests having to do with a clean and functional place | | | | include an adaptation or modification to a policy or a |
| should be done by the move in. You want to start of | | | | service, which will allow a person with a disability to |
| your new business relationship on a good note. Nothing | | | | use and enjoy a dwelling and the common use area. |
| worse than starting an argument you know you will | | | | Generally, the applicant or tenant must make a request |
| lose...and all those bad feelings wont help when you | | | | for an accommodation. Your tenant will describe the |
| make a reasonable request. | | | | need and it is a good idea to have any requests to |
| Things we always say yes to: | | | | accommodate in writing and kept for your records in |
| Generally, electrical improvements are fixed and add | | | | case of any misunderstanding later on. |
| value and marketability to the unit.a. DSLb. Cablec. Hard | | | | You can ask the tenant to provide proof of a disability |
| wired outlets - Electrical needs have skyrocketed and | | | | (some disabilities are hidden). Medications and other |
| we would rather hard wire than see too many | | | | specifics are a private matter and may not be |
| appliances on one outletd. Smoke detectors - even if | | | | breached by the housing provider. |
| we are fully compliant. | | | | A definition: Acceptable accommodation or |
| Cosmetic Requests to alter the unit | | | | modification cannot cause undue administrative or |
| If the rental depends on some cosmetic changes such | | | | financial burden for the owner/manager, and cannot |
| as paint or verticals, then its your call. We like to say | | | | fundamentally alter the housing and services the |
| yes to all reasonable changes but require that the unit | | | | owner/manager offers. |
| be returned to its original condition on the move out. | | | | Reasonable Modifications: Landlords must allow |
| We also are careful to mention that it must be a | | | | disabled tenants access and enjoyment of the building. |
| professional job and that we provide no insurance | | | | Disabled tenants can make the modifications and |
| coverage for any accidents "on the job". | | | | accommodations that will provide them with |
| The Existing Tenant: Much of the above applies. The | | | | reasonable safety and enjoyment. The owner |
| difference is there is less incentive to pay for | | | | manager may condition permission for a modification |
| cosmetics unless you want that tenant to stay. | | | | on the tenant providing a reasonable description of the |
| The Disabled Tenant: Here you are bound by law and | | | | modifications and assurances that the work will be |
| should be aware of the rules and avoid law suits you | | | | done in a professional manner with required building |
| can only lose. As always, with ownership its local and | | | | permits. All modifications must be reasonable and |
| the rules will be different for your area. | | | | require prior approval. You may also require an |
| Federal Fair Housing Law: The federal Fair Housing | | | | additional deposit to assure restoration to its prior |
| Act and local fair housing laws prohibit discrimination | | | | condition. |
| against people because of their disability or the | | | | Examples: Ramps for wheelchair access. Modifying |
| disability of anyone associated with them. | | | | locks, cabinets or appliances. Special faucets or |
| Require owners and managers "to make reasonable | | | | handles on sinks tub or showers and more. When you |
| accommodations or modifications in rules, policies, | | | | are in a situation you think may be a Fair Housing issue, |
| Practices, or services, when such accommodations | | | | always talk to a professional property manager or |
| may be necessary afford such person(s) equal | | | | your local apartment association, has an extensive list |
| opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. If an applicant | | | | of apartment associations in the Resource Center. |
| has a physical or mental disability (including hearing, | | | | |