Renting a single-family home to a disabled tenant may perhaps cause various questions to develop for property owners. In all likelihood, the most necessary concern or question is whether or not you are required to renovate your rental home to accommodate a tenant’s disability. Identifying the answer to this matter, and how to handle any requests a tenant makes for renovations, is key to a successful outcome.
Disabled renters have many legal protections that single-family rental property owners like to be knowledgeable about. Within the Fair Housing Act, individuals with a disability are protected from discrimination when renting or buying a home, applying for a mortgage, and seeking housing assistance. The Act also requires landlords to allow “reasonable accommodations” to build in the rental house in order for a disabled person to live comfortably and safely. For instance, a tenant in a wheelchair may perhaps like to install grab bars in the shower or tub for easier access or install a ramp, furthermore, people with limited hand use would possibly request to install special faucets or door handles.
These forms of accommodations open a relevant contrast between enabling a tenant to modify a rental house at his or her own expense and being required to do it for them. Conceding that the law clearly states that a property owner should allow reasonable modifications, it does not require landlords to pay for them. Under the Act, your tenant shall have to solicit prior approval from you just before starting any renovations, and you might legally require them to return the rental house to its original condition upon moving out. You could also mandate your tenant to provide a detailed description of the proposed changes, entail them to provide proof that the renovations are to be conducted in a professional operation, and expect them to obtain any necessary building permits or owners association approval as the need arises.
Meanwhile, as the property owner, you cannot outright refuse reasonable accommodations or refuse to change policies or practices that would prevent a disabled tenant from using the house. This covers requests for service animals and added accommodations that may otherwise violate the terms of your lease. You absolutely cannot charge a disabled tenant more rent for building those sorts of accommodations, either. Whatever actions to set terms or conditions dissimilar to those of other tenants are a clear violation of Fair Housing laws.
As demonstrated, working through the Fair Housing Act and renting your single-family home to a disabled tenant could be troublesome. Conceding that knowing some of the law and what you legally can and cannot do can contribute a great deal, the best choice, however, is to have guidance from property management professionals with an extensive background in leasing single-family homes to tenants with disabilities.
At Real Property Management Masters, we are engaged in strict adherence to all requirements of the Fair Housing Act. We have the aptitude and record of successes to support rental property owners exactly like you in following rental practices that are well within the limits of the law. Our team of Pleasanton property management professionals would help you carefully stay out of legal trouble and assist in resolving most questions or concerns that may perhaps appear. Contact us online or call us at 510-398-8704 for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.