| Many a times, there arises a situation when a Landlord | | | | get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments |
| has to deal with a Tenant with disability. Disabilities are | | | | automatically meet the legal definition. The extent of |
| of many nature; some are apparent while others are | | | | disability is a matter to consider while making a |
| not. If a person has physical disability like a | | | | judgment. A person who is totally deaf would certainly |
| handicapped person, the Landlord need not worry | | | | qualify as a person with a disability while a person with |
| whether the person is genuinely disable. However if a | | | | only mild impairment may not, however. |
| person is deaf or dumb, it is difficult to substantiate | | | | A Tenant with a disability might ask for modification to |
| whether he is honest and to what extent he is disable. | | | | the structure of the rented unit which would aid him live |
| Landlords have to deal with such situation very | | | | a better life. For example: A person whose hearing is |
| cautiously and take a judicious decision. A Landlord is | | | | substantially impaired will obviously benefit from the |
| not allowed to ask for proof that a tenant has a | | | | use of computer-generated communication. And a |
| disability if that disability is obvious and known. For | | | | person who is on a wheelchair would benefit from |
| example, a person who uses a wheelchair evidently | | | | building a ramp. It would be quiet difficult for him use |
| has a disability, because the person's inability to walk, | | | | staircases and would jeopardize his intention to |
| which is a major life activity is plain for all to observe. If | | | | socialize. The Landlord might demand proof that these |
| the Landlord asks for proof that this person has a | | | | tools address the limitation posed by the Tenant’s |
| disability would be harassment, a violation of the | | | | disability. If the requested modification addresses the |
| federal law. In contrast, if the disability is not noticeable, | | | | problem – say a ramp for a wheelchair -- it would |
| the landlord is within his rights to ask for evidence that | | | | be futile to insist proof that the request |
| the tenant meets the legal meaning of a person with a | | | | accommodates the person's disability: Obviously, it |
| disability. In that case, the Tenant with no apparent | | | | does. However, if the need for the modification isn't |
| disability has to produce documentation in support of | | | | visible, a landlord might ask for information which |
| this condition. It can consist of a letter from the tenant's | | | | specifies that the requested change(s) will |
| treating physician or any number of reputable | | | | accommodate a tenant's disability. |
| third-parties, including counselors. Those persons who | | | | |