handicapped accessibility for long term elderly couple

[Jeff Caravalho]

Hi all,

Looking at an elderly couple for tenants but she has a bankruptcy Ch. 7 from a fused spine injury that ended her carrier.  Both FICO's look good, low debt, steady retirement income 4x the rent, previous references are great, looking long term.  My question is what is my responsibility if they go into walker or wheelchair mode.  Will I as a landlord be required to upgrade my rental to accomodate them?  Should I put in the lease words to the affect that this rental is not accessible, not responsible for upgrades, bla, bla legalease...or should I not deal with it and go with another tenant?  Thx

[Jim Cummings]

@Jeff Caravalho. It's my understanding, any of these "Special Needs" appliances they might need installed is at their expense, and they would also be responsible for taking them out and repairing any damage at end of lease. Below is some references for your use.

Fair Housing rights are controlled by the Fair Housing Act, the ADA (see above) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, with a few provisions in the Architectural Barriers Act. These laws protect people with disabilities from discrimination in the form of a refusal to rent, sell, or finance housing; access to common areas; segregation from other tenants; and the right to reasonable accommodations in the housing unit.

Under these laws, private landlords must allow reasonable changes to the unit at the tenant’s expense. When Section 504 applies, the owner or operator of the housing is required to pay for reasonable changes. Other accommodations may be required, such as a reserved parking space and exceptions to no-pet rules for service animals such as guide dogs.