US FederalDoes a landlord have to make reasonable modifications for a disabled tenant?
Yes, under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord must allow a disabled tenant to make reasonable modifications to their dwelling at the tenant’s expense, if necessary for full enjoyment of the premises.
What the Law Says
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits housing discrimination based on disability and requires housing providers to permit reasonable modifications when necessary for a person with a disability to fully use and enjoy their home.
Under federal law, it is illegal for a landlord to refuse to permit a tenant with a disability to make reasonable modifications to the interior or exterior of their dwelling — or to common areas — if those changes are necessary for the tenant to fully use and enjoy the housing.
The tenant is generally responsible for the cost of the modification, unless the housing is federally funded or subject to other specific programs requiring landlord-paid accommodations.
A modification is 'reasonable' if it does not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the landlord and does not fundamentally alter the nature of the housing provider’s operations.
Statutory TextIt shall be unlawful— ... (f)(3)(A) to refuse to permit a person with a disability, at the person's expense, to make reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises;
— 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(A) — Discrimination in housing
What to Do
Confirm your disability qualifies under the FHA (physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities).
Submit a written request to your landlord describing the modification needed and why it’s necessary for your disability.
Provide documentation from a healthcare professional if requested (but landlord cannot demand full medical records).
Pay for the modification unless funding assistance or landlord obligation applies (e.g., certain HUD-funded properties).
Restore the property to its original condition upon moving out — only if restoration is reasonable and does not interfere with the next tenant’s use.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.