Reasonable Modifications

ICRC
Enforcement
Housing
Current: Reasonable Modifications

Reasonable Modifications in Housing

People with disabilities may need to make physical changes to their housing so they can fully use and enjoy their home.

These changes are called reasonable modifications.

Under the Fair Housing Act and Indiana civil rights laws, individuals with disabilities may have the right to make reasonable modifications to a housing unit or common areas when the changes are necessary because of a disability.

What Is a Reasonable Modification?

A reasonable modification is a physical change made to a housing unit or property that allows a person with a disability to use and enjoy their home.

Unlike reasonable accommodations, which involve changes to rules or policies, reasonable modifications involve structural or physical changes to the property.

These changes may be made inside an individual housing unit or in shared areas of a property.

Examples of Reasonable Modifications:

Reasonable modifications can vary depending on a person’s disability-related needs.

Examples may include:

Installing a wheelchair ramp
Adding grab bars in a bathroom
Widening doorways for wheelchair access
Lowering kitchen cabinets or countertops
Installing a visual doorbell for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
Adding handrails in hallways or stairways

Each request should be evaluated based on the specific needs of the individual.

Who Pays for Reasonable Modifications?

In many cases, the person requesting the modification is responsible for the cost of the change.

However, housing providers may not deny a reasonable modification simply because it involves altering the property.

For certain types of housing, such as federally assisted housing, housing providers may be responsible for paying for accessibility modifications.

Tenants and housing providers may work together to determine the best way to complete a modification request.

Restoration of the Property:

In some situations, a housing provider may request that a tenant restore the unit to its original condition when the tenant moves out.

This requirement typically applies to modifications made inside the unit.

Housing providers generally may not require restoration for modifications made to common areas that benefit accessibility for all residents.

How to Request a Reasonable Modification:

A tenant or housing applicant may request a reasonable modification when a physical change to the property is needed because of a disability.

Requests can be made:

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

A request does not need to include legal terms. A person only needs to explain that a modification is needed because of a disability.

Housing providers and tenants may discuss the request to determine how the modification can be safely and appropriately completed.

When a Housing Provider May Deny a Request:

A housing provider must consider requests for reasonable modifications. However, there may be limited circumstances when a request may be denied.

Examples may include when the modification would:

Pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others
Cause significant damage to the property
Be structurally infeasible

Housing providers should evaluate each request individually.