Reasonable Accommodations

ICRC
Enforcement
Housing
Current: Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations in Housing

People with disabilities may request changes to housing rules, policies, practices, or services so they can have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their home.

These changes are called reasonable accommodations.

Under the Fair Housing Act and Indiana civil rights laws, housing providers may be required to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

A housing provider must consider requests for reasonable accommodations even if the property normally has rules or policies that would otherwise prevent the request.

What Is a Reasonable Accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is a change to a rule, policy, practice, or service that allows a person with a disability equal access to housing.

Reasonable accommodations do not involve physical changes to the property. Instead, they involve adjusting how policies or services are applied.

Reasonable accommodations may be necessary for individuals with disabilities to fully use and enjoy their housing.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations:

Reasonable accommodations can take many forms depending on a person’s disability-related needs.

Examples may include:

Allowing an assistance animal in a building with a no pets policy
Providing a reserved parking space near a unit for a tenant with mobility limitations
Allowing a live-in aide to reside with a tenant who needs assistance with daily activities
Adjusting certain policies when necessary because of a disability
Allowing communication in an accessible format for a tenant with a disability

Each request must be considered individually based on the person’s needs.

When a Tenant Can Request a Reasonable Accommodation:

A tenant or housing applicant may request a reasonable accommodation at any time.

Requests may occur:

When applying for housing
After moving into housing
When a disability related need arises

A request does not have to use legal terms such as “reasonable accommodation.” A person only needs to communicate that a change is needed because of a disability.

Requests may be made by:

The individual with the disability
A family member
A caregiver
Another representative acting on the person’s behalf

What Housing Providers May Ask:

If a disability or disability related need for an accommodation is not obvious, a housing provider may request reliable documentation confirming:

The person has a disability, and
The requested accommodation is related to that disability

Documentation may come from a licensed health care professional or another reliable source familiar with the person’s disability-related needs.

Housing providers generally may not require:

Detailed medical records
Disclosure of a specific diagnosis
Unnecessary or excessive documentation

When a Housing Provider May Deny a Request:

A housing provider must consider reasonable accommodation requests, but there are limited situations where a request may be denied.

Examples may include when the request would:

Create an undue financial or administrative burden
Fundamentally alter the nature of the housing provider’s services
Pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others

Housing providers should evaluate each request individually and may engage in a discussion with the tenant to explore possible alternatives.