Sometimes You Have to Break the Rules.

If you have a serious disability, your landlord may have to make reasonable policy changes to accommodate you.

Some examples:

  • If you are blind, you can keep a seeing eye dog even in a building with a ‘no pets policy’. A service animal may also be appropriate if you have high blood pressure or a stress related illness.
  • You can ask to move to the top of the list for a first floor apartment if you use a wheel chair. This does not mean a landlord can require you to live on the first floor.
  • A landlord may have to accommodate you even if it requires a small cost which you are willing to pay, such as for a grab bar next to the tub.

It is illegal for a landlord to deny you a reasonable accommodation.

Be sure to make your request in writing and document your disability with a doctor’s note when it is not obvious.