NOTICE DISCLOSING TENANTS’ RIGHTS TO REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES

Reasonable Accommodations

The New York State Human Rights Law requires housing providers to make reasonable

accommodations or modifications to a building or living space to meet the needs of people with

disabilities. For example, if you have a physical, mental, or medical impairment, you can ask

your housing provider to make the common areas of your building accessible, or to change

certain policies to meet your needs.

To request a reasonable accommodation, you should contact your property manager.

You will need to inform your housing provider that you have a disability or health problem that

interferes with your use of housing, and that your request for accommodation may be

necessary to provide you equal access and opportunity to use and enjoy your housing or the

amenities and services normally offered by your housing provider. A housing provider may

request medical information, when necessary to support that there is a covered disability and

that the need for the accommodation is disability related.

If you believe that you have been denied a reasonable accommodation for your disability, or

that you were denied housing or retaliated against because you requested a reasonable

accommodation, you can file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights as

described at the end of this notice.

Specifically, if you have a physical, mental, or medical impairment, you can request: Permission

to change the interior of your housing unit to make it accessible (however, you are required to

pay for these modifications, and in the case of a rental your housing provider may require that

you restore the unit to its original condition when you move out); Changes to your housing

provider’s rules, policies, practices, or services; Changes to common areas of the building so

you have an equal opportunity to use the building.

The New York State Human Rights Law requires housing providers to pay for reasonable

modifications to common use areas.

Examples of reasonable modifications and accommodations that may be requested under the

New York State Human Rights Law include: If you have a mobility impairment, your housing

provider may be required to provide you with a ramp or other reasonable means to permit you

to enter and exit the building; If your healthcare provider provides documentation that having

an animal will assist with your disability, you should be permitted to have the animal in your

home despite a “no pet” rule; If you need grab bars in your bathroom, you can request

permission to install them at your own expense. If your housing was built for first occupancy

after March 13, 1991 and the walls need to be reinforced for grab bars, your housing provider

must pay for that to be done; If you have an impairment that requires a parking space close to

your unit, you can request your housing provider to provide you with that parking space, or

place you at the top of a waiting list if no adjacent spot is available; If you have a visual

impairment and require printed notices in an alternative format such as large print font, or

need notices to be made available to you electronically, you can request that accommodation

from your landlord.

Required Accessibility Standards

All buildings constructed for use after March 13, 1991, are required to meet the following

standards: Public and common areas must be readily accessible to and usable by persons with

disabilities; All doors must be sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons in wheelchairs; and

All multi-family buildings must contain accessible passageways, fixtures, outlets, thermostats,

bathrooms, and kitchens.

If you believe that your building does not meet the required accessibility standards, you can file

a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

How to File a Complaint

A complaint must be filed with the Division within one year of the alleged discriminatory act or

in court within three years of the alleged discriminatory act. You can find more information on

your rights, and on the procedures for filing a complaint, by going to www.dhr.ny.gov, or by

calling 1-888-392-3644. You can obtain a complaint form on the website, or one can be e-

mailed or mailed to you. You can also call or e-mail a division regional office. The regional

offices are listed on the website.

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+ This Notice provides information about your rights under the New York State Human Rights

Law, which applies to persons residing anywhere in New York State. Local laws may provide

protections in addition to those described