In cases of disability, landlords need to grant reasonable accommodation to prospective tenants. So if a tenant is planning to apply for one, there are things to know.
Durham, NC (PRWEB) August 28, 2014
In cases of disability*, landlords need to grant reasonable accommodation to prospective tenants. The conference hosted by AudioSolutionz on Thursday, August 28, 2014 is going to address to the landlords who may face/are facing the problem of reasonable accommodation. Plus, if a tenant is planning to apply for one, there are things they should know.
Written or Verbal Requests
Though often made in writing, requests for reasonable accommodation can also be made verbally and it is stated proper by law. However, a written request on a form or tenant’s stationary is advisable as it is a document of exactly what is requested, serves as a record for future purposes and lessens the chances of misunderstanding. It should also be noted that if the landlord denies those requests made by tenant because it was not a written one, the tenant is misstating the law.
Involvement of no Special Procedure
There is no need to submit requests in a special form or particular way. Simply stating the changes required in the policy or procedure due to tenant’s disability is enough. Though it is best to mention the term ‘reasonable accommodation’, it doesn’t mean that the landlord will not take the request seriously because the term wasn’t specifically mentioned.
These days many landlords adopt different procedures or create forms for prospective tenants or clients to file the request of reasonable accommodation. It is not mandated by law and there is no reason to follow it. However, dealing with a landlord who has such facts in place signifies that he/she is open to the provisions of reasonable accommodation requests. The tenant may or may not choose to use the landlord’s form – that doesn’t allow the landlord to disregard the tenant’s reasonable accommodation request.
Requesting the Need for an Accommodation
It is necessary for tenants and prospective tenants to explicitly request for reasonable accommodation from their landlords. Obviously, landlords won’t be able to mind read the request and neither can they attempt to anticipate the needs of a disabled tenant as it actually risks violations of fair housing. There will be no outcome if a tenant tries to pursue a fair housing claim against the landlord for not making a fair accommodation, if the request has not been explicitly made.
No need for Personal Requests
In cases when a tenant or prospective tenant needs an accommodation, he may not do it directly. Rather a request by a family member, friend or roommate or anyone designated is good enough. The landlord is not to insist on the tenant’s personal presence to sign a form or have a phone interview for the case.
Prompt Consideration to Such Requests
Requests made due to disability have to be met soon. Thus, the tenant or prospective tenant needs to know whether his/her request is granted before he/she signs the lease. It is mandated by law that landlords pay heed to such requests promptly. Delays due to the fact that more information is needed by the landlord before acting on such requests is considered legitimate, however, willfully neglecting or ignoring the requests could get him/her into violations under fair housing.
An informative audio conference on Reasonable Accommodation is conducted by certified Occupancy expert Paul Flogstad on Thursday, August 28, 2014. Expert speaker Paul will be talking about Reasonable Accommodation problems and their solutions taking a real-world course and not a mere bookish solution to the problems. AudiolSolutionz, country’s leading business solution provider will be organizing this session which will help attendees make the correct decision when faced with a request for reasonable accommodation. No property owner wants to be charged fair housing violations and thus this conference will help them avoid the charges at the first place.
The conference is going to talk about:
- Definition: Reasonable Accommodation
- Definition: Disability
- When is accommodation needed?
- Accommodation vs. modification
- What is the issue of companion/service animal?
- What is ‘reasonable’?
About AudioSolutionz:
AudioSolutionz, valued as the country’s best when it comes to disseminating business information through webinars and conferences, stocks the best when it comes to public housing and compliance. As an industry veteran, you need to live up to the expectations that come up daily. Get practical, current and updated industry information quickly and conveniently from AudioSolutionz and use the concrete, put-to-practice strategies to remain compliant.
For more information, visit http://www.audiosolutionz.com/public-housing-compliance.html
We are providing a discount of 10% on the conferences and webinars. To avail your discount, use coupon code SAVE10, applicable on all purchases. For further queries, contact us at: Shivane Kay (1-800-223-8720) or e-mail at contact(at)audiosolutionz(dot)com.
Source:- http://apartments.about.com/od/disability/a/makingaccommodationrequests.htm