Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 33%

A prospective tenant who is hearing impaired wishes to install a flashing doorbell in an 8-unit building. The landlord must:

Rationale

Allow the tenant to make the modification at their own expense.

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are required to permit reasonable modifications for tenants with disabilities, which includes allowing modifications such as a flashing doorbell to accommodate hearing impairments, as long as the tenant covers the costs.

A (allow the tenant to make the modification at their own expense.) CORRECT

This choice aligns with the legal requirement that landlords must permit reasonable modifications for tenants with disabilities. Since the prospective tenant wishes to install a flashing doorbell to enhance accessibility, allowing the tenant to make this modification at their own expense is not only reasonable but also legally mandated under the Fair Housing Act.

B (charge an additional monthly fee for the modification.) YOUR ANSWER

Charging an additional fee for a modification related to a tenant's disability would violate the Fair Housing Act. The law mandates that tenants should not be subjected to extra charges for making reasonable modifications that accommodate their disabilities, as this could constitute discrimination.

C (make the modification at the landlord's expense.) YOUR ANSWER

While landlords may choose to make modifications at their own expense, they are not required to do so under the law. The responsibility typically falls on the tenant to pay for modifications that are necessary for their disability, so this option is not legally required.

D (not allow the tenant to make the modification.) YOUR ANSWER

Denying a tenant the ability to make reasonable modifications for their disability is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Landlords cannot refuse such requests, particularly when the modifications enable full enjoyment of the housing unit for individuals with disabilities.

Conclusion

The Fair Housing Act ensures that tenants with disabilities can make reasonable modifications to their living spaces without facing undue burdens, such as added fees or outright denial of requests. In this scenario, the landlord must permit the tenant to install a flashing doorbell at their own expense, as this modification is crucial for accommodating the tenant's hearing impairment and ensuring accessibility within their residence.

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