Physical Disabilities and Your Lease Agreement

For people with a mental or physical disability, renting instead of buying a home can sometimes be a better option. Individuals with disabilities are a protected class of citizens, whether it’s mental or physical, and discrimination against them for their disabilities is a serious offense. Fort Worth property managers should take care to ensure their lease agreement and screening process are free from discrimination.

What qualifies as a disability?

●     The person has written record of an issue legally classified as a disability

●     The person experiences an issue, whether mental or physical, that limits his or her ability to perform major life activities

●     The person is recognized by others as having a disability

Why are people with disabilities protected?

The Fair Housing Act protects people from being denied housing because of race, color, sex, religion, presence of children, or disability.

What am I required to do as a property management company?

Fort Worth management companies should fully educate all employees on the requirements of the Fair Housing Act and the nuances of applying it. Things as simple as asking how severe a disability is for an applicant is not acceptable and could be grounds for a lawsuit. Service animals are not pets and should not be treated as such with pet fees and policies.

To navigate the complicated waters of the Fair Housing Act, enlist help from expert Fort Worth property managers at Specialized RPM. Put their professional team to work for you today. Learn more at http://www.specializedrpm.com/