Are landlords required to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities under Fair Housing Law?

Yes, landlords in Washington State are required to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities under the Fair Housing Law. To do so, landlords must make changes to the tenancy rules, services, or others policies to provide the tenant with the necessary assistance to enjoy their living space. These changes must be reasonable and not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the landlord. For example, rental agreements usually include a “no pet” policy. However, if an individual with a disability requires a service animal such as a seeing eye dog, the landlord must make an exception to the “no pet” policy. Furthermore, if an individual with disabilities relies on a wheelchair, the landlord may be required to make modifications such as widening the hallways or installing grab bars. They may also be required to allow an individual to make modifications to the unit in order to meet their needs. In some cases, tenants may even request a change in the rental agreement to allow them to use the property in a different way than was originally intended. Examples of this could include allowing tenants with disabilities to live in a ground-floor unit when they would not normally qualify, or allowing a tenant to sublet part of the unit to accommodate their needs. Overall, landlords in Washington State must make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities under Fair Housing Law. These changes must not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the landlord, but are necessary for the tenant to enjoy their living space.

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