Request for Reasonable Accommodation (Fair Housing)

REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Date: [DATE]

VIA: ☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
☐ Email (keep copy)
☐ Hand Delivery (get receipt)
☐ Property Management Portal

TO: LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER

FROM: TENANT/APPLICANT

RE: REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT

Dear [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME]:

I am writing to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B)) and [STATE] fair housing law.

I. STATEMENT OF DISABILITY

I am a person with a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act. My disability substantially limits one or more major life activities.

☐ My disability is apparent/obvious
☐ My disability is not readily apparent, and I am providing verification below

II. ACCOMMODATION REQUESTED

I am requesting the following reasonable accommodation:

Select Accommodation Type:

☐ A. ASSISTANCE ANIMAL (Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal)

I am requesting permission to keep an assistance animal in my dwelling despite the [no-pet policy / pet restrictions].

For Service Animals:
My service animal is trained to perform the following task(s) related to my disability:
[DESCRIBE TASK(S) - e.g., "alerts me to oncoming seizures," "provides mobility assistance"]

For Emotional Support Animals:
This animal provides emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of my disability.

Important Notes:

• I understand no pet deposit or pet rent may be charged for an assistance animal
• I understand I am responsible for any damage caused by the animal
• Breed and weight restrictions do not apply to assistance animals

☐ B. ACCESSIBLE PARKING

I am requesting a designated accessible parking space close to my unit because:
[EXPLAIN HOW THIS RELATES TO YOUR DISABILITY - e.g., "I have limited mobility and cannot walk long distances"]

☐ C. TRANSFER TO ACCESSIBLE UNIT

I am requesting transfer to an accessible unit because:
[EXPLAIN HOW THIS RELATES TO YOUR DISABILITY]

☐ D. LIVE-IN AIDE / CAREGIVER

I am requesting permission for a live-in aide to reside with me despite [occupancy limits / guest restrictions] because:
[EXPLAIN HOW THE AIDE ASSISTS WITH YOUR DISABILITY-RELATED NEEDS]

☐ E. MODIFICATION OF RULE/POLICY

I am requesting an exception to the following rule/policy:

☐ F. PHYSICAL MODIFICATION

I am requesting permission to make the following modification at my expense:

☐ G. OTHER ACCOMMODATION

I am requesting the following accommodation:

[DESCRIBE ACCOMMODATION IN DETAIL]

This accommodation is necessary because of my disability in the following way:

[EXPLAIN CONNECTION BETWEEN ACCOMMODATION AND DISABILITY]

III. VERIFICATION OF DISABILITY AND NEED

A. If Disability is Obvious/Apparent

☐ My disability is obvious and apparent. No additional verification should be required.

B. If Disability is Not Obvious

☐ My disability is not readily apparent. I am providing the following verification:

☐ Attached: Letter from healthcare provider verifying:

1. I have a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act
2. The requested accommodation is necessary because of my disability

☐ I will provide verification within [NUMBER] days from:

• Healthcare provider
• Licensed mental health professional
• Other qualified professional

C. Healthcare Provider Information (Optional)

If you require verification directly from my healthcare provider, you may contact:

☐ I authorize my healthcare provider to verify to you that I have a disability and that the requested accommodation is necessary.

IV. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Fair Housing Act Requirements

Under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B)):

• Housing providers must make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when necessary to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

• A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

• The accommodation must be necessary because of the disability.

• The accommodation must be reasonable (not impose an undue financial or administrative burden, or fundamentally alter the nature of the housing).

What You CANNOT Require

Under HUD/DOJ guidance, you cannot:

• Require disclosure of the nature or severity of my disability
• Require access to my medical records
• Require documentation in a specific format
• Charge fees, deposits, or rent for assistance animals
• Apply breed, size, or weight restrictions to assistance animals
• Require proof of training or certification for emotional support animals

Consequences of Denial

Denying a reasonable accommodation request may constitute disability discrimination under:

• Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.)
• [STATE] Fair Housing Law
• [LOCAL] Fair Housing Ordinance
• Americans with Disabilities Act (if applicable)

V. TIMELINE FOR RESPONSE

Under fair housing law, you must respond to this request in a timely manner. I request a response within [10-14] business days.

☐ If you require additional information to evaluate this request, please contact me within [5] business days.

VI. INTERACTIVE PROCESS

I am willing to engage in an interactive process to discuss this accommodation request. If you have questions or would like to discuss alternatives, please contact me:

VII. CONTACT FOR RESPONSE

Please respond in writing to:

VIII. SIGNATURE

ATTACHMENTS

☐ Healthcare provider verification letter
☐ Photo of assistance animal (if applicable)
☐ Proof of vaccinations for animal (if applicable)
☐ Other: [DESCRIBE]

ACKNOWLEDGMENT REQUEST

Please sign below and return a copy to acknowledge receipt:

PROOF OF DELIVERY

IF YOUR REQUEST IS DENIED

If your reasonable accommodation request is denied, you have the right to:

1. Request explanation in writing for the denial
2. File a complaint with:
   - HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development): 1-800-669-9777
   - [STATE] Civil Rights Agency: [CONTACT]
   - Local Fair Housing Organization: [CONTACT]
3. File a lawsuit in federal or state court
4. Seek mediation through a fair housing organization

Complaint Deadlines:

• HUD complaint: 1 year from discrimination
• Federal lawsuit: 2 years from discrimination
• State deadlines may vary

Resources:

• HUD Fair Housing: www.hud.gov/fairhousing
• [STATE] Fair Housing Agency: [WEBSITE]
• Local Fair Housing Organization: [NAME AND CONTACT]
• Disability Rights Organization: [NAME AND CONTACT]

SAMPLE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER LETTER

[On Healthcare Provider Letterhead]

Date: [DATE]

To Whom It May Concern:

[PATIENT NAME] is my patient and is under my care. [He/She/They] has a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act (a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities).

[For Assistance Animal:] I am familiar with [PATIENT NAME]'s condition and the functional limitations it imposes. In my professional opinion, [he/she/they] has a disability-related need for an assistance animal. The animal provides support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of [his/her/their] disability.

[For Other Accommodation:] The requested accommodation of [DESCRIBE ACCOMMODATION] is necessary to afford [PATIENT NAME] an equal opportunity to use and enjoy [his/her/their] housing.

This letter does not disclose the specific nature of [PATIENT NAME]'s condition, consistent with privacy protections.

Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE]
[PROVIDER NAME], [CREDENTIALS]
[LICENSE NUMBER]
[CONTACT INFORMATION]

This Request for Reasonable Accommodation is based on the Fair Housing Act and HUD/DOJ guidance. Fair housing laws protect persons with disabilities from discrimination. Landlords must engage in an interactive process and may not deny reasonable requests without legitimate justification. If you need assistance, contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or a local fair housing organization.