As we have discussed previously, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most important federal laws to understand when you’re renting out a Roseville home. According to the ADA, rental property owners and their property managers are not allowed to discriminate against any tenant or applicant because of an intellectual, emotional, or physical disability.
The law was passed in 1990, and it says that businesses must provide accommodations to people with disabilities, ensuring that their access to services is equal or similar to what’s available to the general public.
We talk to a lot of landlords who are confused about what it means to make an accommodation in their property. We’re taking a look at some of the most important requirements today, so you can be sure your Roseville rental property is compliant with all ADA requirements.
Making Modifications to Your Roseville Rental Property
People with disabilities who are entitled to accommodations may require modifications to your home. This could be a seat or a bar in the shower or a wheelchair ramp leading to the front door. The legal definition of a modification or an accommodation can be found in language from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
“…a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces, or to fulfill their program obligations. Please note that the ADA often refers to these types of accommodations as “modifications.”
Multi-family Accommodations and Common Areas
If you are renting out a single-family home, the modifications you’ll have to make are limited to what the tenant will need inside the home. For multi-family properties, you’ll have to think about common areas as well, specifically parking lots and garages. You may need to provide accessible parking spots. They should be clearly marked with the appropriate signs, and other tenants should understand that the parking spots are only for tenants who need them.
Wheelchair ramps should also be installed so tenants with disabilities can get in and out of the multi-family building with ease.
Make sure any common areas are accessible and ADA-compliant. Community rooms, clubhouses, and other communal spaces must be compliant as well.
Service and Companion Animals
A common accommodation that you’re likely to encounter when renting out Roseville homes is the need for a service animal or a companion animal, which can be an emotional support animal or a therapy dog.
These animals are protected by the ADA and the Fair Housing Act. They cannot be treated as pets, which means you cannot charge a pet fee or pet rent. You cannot deny a tenant with a service or companion animal even if you rent out homes with strict no-pets policies. Service and companion animals are not seen as pets by the law. They’re seen as accommodations.
Mistakes are easy to make and if you violate ADA laws, even unintentionally, the penalties can be huge. We can help you protect yourself and your rental home in Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, Lincoln, and Granite Bay. Contact our team at Action Properties.
