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FACT SHEETS - Do You Need a Handicapped-Accessible Apartment?
by Susan Forrest
Having a physical impairment or handicap can make the already tedious duty of apartment hunting even harder. After locating a place that sounds good, speak to the landlord before making a decision. You may be able to rule out a useless trip by being clear and descriptive of your needs over the telephone. Make sure that you state your needs clearly and specifically. If, for example, you need doorways wide enough to allow a wheelchair through, provide the landlord with the dimensions. Stating "I need wide doorways" is not specific enough.Don't be shy when describing why you need a certain feature. Knowing why helps the other person know if the apartment fits. Try to differentiate between "musts" and "would-be-nice" features.
Be realistic. Make sure the expensive modifications are there - ramping, hallway size, bathroom size - but recognize that doors can be widened and light switches adapted cheaply. Under the new Fair Housing Law the landlord must allow you to make your own reasonable adaptations. Check with your local housing agencies, rehab commission or independent living center.
Landlords often call in search of tenants. Check display ads in the newspaper for the universal wheelchair symbol. This means that there are some accessible apartments in that building. Look for ads in disability-related publications.
Here are some tips to assist you through the apartment-hunting jungle:
Enlist professional help
Call the office managers of several real estate agencies and ask for an agent who may have experience with wheelchair accessible housing. Speak to several and then choose only one to work with, so there is an incentive for that agent to find you a home. Contact the Community Housing Information and Referral Program (CHIRP) at AIDS Project Los Angeles.
Know Your Rights
If you encounter discrimination, inform the landlord of your rights in a helpful way - don't be adversarial unless necessary. The rights and needs of disabled people are new to some. Many landlords don't know a companion or guide dog isn't considered a pet, or that you're entitled to make reasonable changes to make your apartment more livable. If you don't tell them, they may never know.
Some additional things to consider:
If you live in a high-rise building, it's good to have more than one elevator so that you don't get stranded if one breaks.
In case of emergency - Is there an alternate accessible exit?
How's the neighborhood? - Check out curb-cuts and access to stores and transit in the area.
Be kind to your landlord - Though it's not the law, it's nice to receive a few strokes for being a good, accessible landlord. If there are other vacant accessible units, let people know. Choose carefully! - Unless you're in a bind, take your time and find a home that's right for you. Don't let initial discouragement trap you in a home that will send you looking again soon. If you're happy with the home, consider a long-term lease.
Disclaimer of Liability:
The information contained in this material is for the sole purpose of providing general information only, and must not be construed as legal advice, or take the place of competent legal counsel. Do not rely on these materials without consulting an attorney concerning your situation. The dissemination of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not seek to represent you based upon your visit or review of this information.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the material is current. However, the law does change and the general information contained within may become dated. You should seek the advice of legal counsel for specific situations and advice to the "then existing" status of the law.