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Civil Rights

Housing

People with disabilities deserve to live in the community in homes that are safe and accessible.  Fair housing laws protect your rights when renting or purchasing a home. 

Accessible Housing Requirements

By law, multi-family housing with four or more units built after March 13, 1990 must include:

  • Accessible entrance and route to the building
  • Accessible common and shared-use areas
  • Doorways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair
  • Accessible route throughout the unit 
  • Light switches, electrical outlets and thermostats in accessible locations. 
  • Reinforced bathroom walls to allow for the installation of grab bars
  • Kitchens and bathrooms that can be maneuvered in a wheelchair. 

Visit Fair Housing Accessibility First for more information. 

Housing Modifications

You have the right to request modifications to make your home safe, usable, and accessible.  You may request modifications by contacting your property owner or property manager.  We suggest that you make these requests in writing so that you have a record of what you asked for and when.  Your request should include:

  • A statement that you have a disability. You do not need to disclose your specific diagnosis if you do not want to. 
  • What barriers you are experiencing related to your disability, and
  • The modifications you are requesting.

You may need to provide a letter from a doctor or medical professional if your disability is not apparent. 

Modifications in common areas such as entryways, parking lots, and paths of travel to and from your unit are the responsibility of your property owner.  You are responsible for the costs of approved modifications in your unit. 

Housing Accommodations

A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service that removes barriers for a person with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing, including public and common use spaces, or to fulfill their responsibilities.  You should not have to pay additional fees for housing accommodations.

For example, the Fair Housing Act covers accommodations for parking.  If you have a mobility impairment, you may request a reserved parking space near the entrance to the building.  For more information, see the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research, Right to an Accessible Parking Space fact sheet.

If you have a service animal or emotional support animal see our Service & Support Animal page for more information about your rights in housing.

Renting or Buying a Home

It is illegal for a property owner to:

  • Say that housing is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when it is.
  • Refuse to rent, sell, or negotiate for housing based on disability, source of income, and / or because someone has a service or emotional support animal. 
  • Use statements meant to discourage people with disabilities in print or advertisements. 
  • Deny access or membership to a facility or service that is included in the sale or rental of housing.  For example, a community gym or pool. 
  • Refuse to allow reasonable modifications to accommodate a disability.

Retaliation Protections

Retaliation is when a housing provider takes an action against a tenant who exercises a right. For example, making a complaint, applying for rent abatement, asking for modifications or accommodations, or asking a property owner to fix a code violation.  Follow this link for more information about reporting retaliation. 

More Information

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