California Civil Rights Department, Housing Discrimination

Additionally, people who are associated with a person who has a disability are also included in the laws protections. For example, refusing to rent to a tenant that has a family member with a mental health condition that will be visiting the tenant, would violate the law.

For more information, please see CRD’s Disability Discrimination Factsheet

Are tenants or applicants with disabilities entitled to special treatment?

Yes. Tenants, residents, and applicants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations and/or modifications that are necessary to allow them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing, including a housing unit and any common areas. The refusal to grant reasonable accommodations and modifications constitutes unlawful discrimination under state and federal law. See below for examples of reasonable accommodations.

For more information, please see CRD’s Disability Discrimination Factsheet

What is a reasonable accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is an exception, change, or adjustment in rules, policies, practices, or services that is necessary to allow a tenant, resident, or applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing.

Examples of reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities include:

Reserved parking spaces

Making exceptions to a no-pets policy

Changing the date rent is due

Allowing a third party to cosign the lease or pay the rent

Allowing a tenant to have a live-in aide

Delaying an eviction

Giving someone more time to vacate a unit

Relocating a tenant to another unit

Allowing additional time to comply with a rule or policy

Modifying the terms of a lease

Providing additional notice to the tenant for inspections or repairs