Fair Housing
Reasonable Accommodations in Housing
Requests for accessible parking, unit transfers, live-in aides, communication support, assistance animals, and exceptions to housing rules.
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A reasonable accommodation is a change to a rule, policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to use and enjoy housing. Whether a request is required depends on the facts, the housing involved, the governing law, and whether the request would impose a legally recognized burden or fundamentally alter the provider's operations.
Common Accommodation Requests
Requests should identify the needed change and explain the connection between the disability-related limitation and that change. A particular diagnosis may not need to be disclosed when the disability and need are otherwise apparent.
- A reserved or closer accessible parking space
- A transfer to a ground-floor or accessible unit
- Permission for a live-in aide or additional occupant
- An exception to a no-pet, payment, communication, or other housing rule
- Accessible notices or an alternative way to communicate
Delay and Silence Can Matter
A housing provider should evaluate an accommodation request rather than leave it unanswered. In several 2026 matters, the alleged delay and the availability of a requested space or unit were central facts. A delay is not automatically unlawful, but its length, explanation, consequences, and the parties' communications can matter.
What to Preserve
Keep a clear, dated record. Avoid editing or deleting original messages.
- The request and any supporting documentation
- Emails, letters, portal messages, and text messages
- Names, dates, responses, and promised follow-up
- Photographs and measurements when physical access is involved
- Available parking spaces or units you observed
- Lease violations, notices, fees, or other action after the request
Where a Claim May Be Raised
Depending on location, timing, housing type, and requested relief, possible forums may include HUD, a state civil-rights agency, federal court, state court, or a DOJ referral. Federally assisted housing may also implicate Section 504. There is no single filing route for every dispute, and deadlines can differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an accommodation request have to use legal words?
Not necessarily. A request generally needs to communicate that a change is needed because of a disability-related limitation. Clear written requests are easier to document.
Can I request a ground-floor transfer?
A transfer can be a reasonable accommodation in some circumstances. Availability, need, cost, timing, and the governing law may affect the analysis.
What if my landlord does not respond?
Preserve the request and follow-up communications. An unexplained delay or silence may be relevant, but no fixed period decides every case.
Talk With Our Fair Housing Team
Call or email Vélez Law Group to discuss a housing accommodation, accessibility, discrimination, or retaliation concern.
Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential information until representation is confirmed.