Fair Housing Quick Guide
MAA’s policy on Disability
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. New or existing residents may request an accommodation or a modification. The act defines persons with a disability to mean those individuals with mental or physical impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. The term mental or physical impairment may include conditions such as blindness, hearing impairment, mobility impairment, HIV infection, mental disability, alcoholism, drug addiction, chronic fatigue, learning disability, head injury, and mental illness. The term major life activity may include seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for one's self, learning, speaking, or working.
Responding to requests for Accommodation or Modification
All requests for accommodations or modifications, by an applicant or resident, should be responded to by saying: “We make reasonable accommodations or modifications for anyone who requires them." Requests for accommodations or modifications should be directed to the Property Manager.
Reasonable Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities have the right to request exceptions to the rules, policies, and practices. An individual must establish that they have a disability that substantially limits a major life function, and that the accommodation or exception requested is necessary because of his/her disability. Service animals are an example of a reasonable accommodation. In this case, pet fees and pet deposits would be waived, which is an exception to the community policies.
Reasonable Modifications
Reasonable modifications are structural changes to the apartment home and common areas that allow a person with a disability equal opportunity to have full use of the home. Ramps and grab bars are some of the most commonly requested modifications. Modifications are usually performed at the renter’s expense. The property manager may review plans and require that work is done in accordance to code requirements. Extensive modifications may require money to be held in escrow. Approvals for modifications are required by the Regional Service Director and the Director of Maintenance Operations.
Requests for Accommodations or Modifications
Generally, a verification of the requested accommodation or modification should be obtained from a qualified professional. A qualified professional is anyone with expert knowledge in the area, who has knowledge of the individual’s disability and needs. This does not mean that a doctor’s prescription is required for the requested change.
Ask applicant/resident to complete the Request for Accommodation or Modification Form found in AccessMAA. Steps on how to complete this form are also found in AccessMAA under Policy: Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications.
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