California Civil Rights Department, Housing Discrimination

Citation: California Civil Rights Department, Housing Discrimination
Jurisdiction: California (state)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/housing/ ↗

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A reasonable modification is different from a reasonable accommodation because it is a physical change or alteration to a tenant’s unit or the common areas associated with the unit. A request for a change or alteration is considered to be a reasonable modification if it is necessary to afford the individual with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their home. Under most circumstances, the refusal by a landlord, HOA, or other housing provider to allow an individual with a disability the opportunity to make a reasonable modification constitutes unlawful housing discrimination. Some examples of reasonable modifications include:

Installing a grab bar in a bathroom

Widening doorways to make rooms more accessible for persons in wheelchairs

Lowering kitchen cabinets to a height suitable for persons in wheelchairs

Adding a ramp to make a primary entrance so it is accessible for persons in wheelchairs

Altering a walkway to provide access to a public or common use area

Installing “blinking” doorbells or emergency alarms to provide alerts to someone who is Deaf, or brailed signage for someone who is Blind.

If a tenant with a disability needs to modify the rental unit, is the housing provider required to pay for the modification?

In most instances, the tenant is responsible for all costs connected to the modification. This may include the cost of restoring the premises to the condition that existed before the modification (other than for reasonable wear and tear). However, a housing provider is required to pay for the modification if: