Watch Out for These Tell-Tale Signs of
Illegal Discrimination on the Basis of
Disability

It is illegal for anyone to deny you housing because you have a mental or physical disability, or a record of having had a mental or physical disability, or because people think you have a mental or physical disability.

The Fair Housing Act protects people with mental retardation, mental illness, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, visual and hearing impairments, AIDS and other disabilities. People who use walkers, wheelchairs, service dogs, a personal care attendant or are recovering from substance abuse are all protected against housing discrimination.

BE SUSPICIOUS if you're told:

“I don’t really want all those changes —a ramp, grab bars; that’s too much;” or
“We can’t have mentally retarded people living here. Who will take care of them? It will make the neighbors uncomfortable;” or
“How can I be sure you’ll pay the rent?” or
“I’d like to rent to you, but my insurance will go up;” or
“We have a no-pets rule and that includes your guide dog;” or
“I'll need to see your medical records;” or
“Your wheelchair will damage the carpet and if there’s a fire you won’t be able to get out.”

You Are Entitled to a Reasonable Accommodation.

Although landlords aren’t responsible for the cost (such as putting in grab bars or widening a door), they must give you permission to make physical changes to your apartment if you need them. Landlords must make reasonable exceptions to rules that interfere with your ability to live comfortably in your home. For example, if you need to make an extra key so a friend can come to help you, the landlord has to bend the rule that only tenants may have keys. If you can’t hear a smoke alarm, the landlord must install visual alarms in public areas and must let you put one in your apartment. Always make your request for an accommodation clear.