Tenants with disabilities

[Robert Arquilla]

So my first tenant is moving out after 9 months. I put my add out to fill the vacancy that’s coming up and have been getting a lot of interested and good quality tenants lined up to come look at the house.

However one case I have some questions about. I was contacted by a company who helps disabled people find homes to rent. They have care takers and a person who will come cut the grass and do tenant related maintenance.

My questions are (1) does the lease need to be through the owner of the company? She said she’s willing to do that and she pays the rent on behalf of the tenants. (2) I’m just wondering if she’s on the lease could that cause and issue since she’s not living in the house the disabled tenants are? (3) Is there extra insurance I need? (4) anything I’m not thinking of?

I understand I have to allow them to make the house accessible if they require that and I’m not discriminating against them just not sure how that whole process would work as far as doing a normal screening.

Thanks for the help!

[Michael Sassone]

Don't forget the fact that there are 7 Federally protected classes and disability is one of them (Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), Familial Status, and Disability). 

There are certain protections offered to persons with disabilities/handicaps for example the landlord is required to make "reasonable accommodations" for handicapped tenants. 

 From my understanding, the landlord is required to foot the bill for some accommodations and are allowed to require the tenant to pay for structural modifications as well as require the tenant pay to have the property restored to original condition at the tenants expense.

How would the guarantor being a company affect this? Who do the responsibilities of the expenses fall under? Just some food for thought for the contract...