Tenant Education
How to Request Disability Accommodations from Your Landlord in California
By
Arta Wildeboer Esq.
Apr 22, 2025
Let’s cut through the noise: if you or someone in your household has a disability, you have legal leverage—under both federal and California law—to demand changes that let you live safely and independently in your home. Not “nice to haves.” Not “if your landlord feels like it.” Rights.
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) both require landlords to make reasonable accommodations or modifications for tenants with disabilities. That includes private landlords, subsidized housing, and pretty much everything in between.
What Qualifies as a “Reasonable” Accommodation?
Translation: what kind of changes can you legally request?
Accommodations are about tweaking policies or rules so the tenant can function like everyone else. Think:
Allowing a service animal even in a “no pets” building
Giving you more time to prep for inspections
Assigning you a ground-floor unit due to mobility issues
Letting a caregiver stay overnight
Modifications, on the other hand, involve physical changes to the unit or property. For example:
Installing a wheelchair ramp
Putting grab bars in the shower
Widening doorways to accommodate mobility aids
Bottom line: if the change helps you use your home like a non-disabled tenant would, and it doesn’t create a major burden for the landlord, it’s probably reasonable.
How to Actually Make the Request
You don’t need to hire a lawyer or use fancy language. But you do need to be clear, specific, and direct.
Here’s how:
Put it in writing—email or letter, doesn’t matter. You can find a template here.
Say you’re requesting an accommodation due to a disability.
Spell out what you need and why it matters for your safety, health, or independence.
Be ready to provide basic documentation from a doctor, therapist, or care provider—but know this:
Landlords can’t demand detailed medical records.
They can’t force you to disclose your diagnosis.
You’re not applying for a loan—you’re asserting your legal rights.
How to Shut Down Bad-Faith Pushback Before It Starts
Landlords aren’t always subtle when they want to say “no” without actually saying “no.” So beat them to the punch:
1. Document Everything From the Start.
Send the request by email or certified mail. Keep copies. If you hand-deliver something, write down the time and who accepted it.
2. Use Specific, Legal Language.
Include the phrase:
“I am requesting this reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act and California’s FEHA due to a disability.”
This signals you know your rights and aren’t going to be steamrolled.
3. Attach a Short Letter from a Care Provider.
Have a doctor, therapist, or caseworker confirm (in one paragraph) that you have a disability and need the requested accommodation. No need for diagnosis—just the functional need.
Example:
“I am treating [Name], who has a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act. In my professional opinion, the requested accommodation is necessary for their use and enjoyment of the housing.”
4. Ask for a Written Response With a Deadline.
End your request with:
“Please respond to this request in writing within 10 business days.”
This prevents the common landlord tactic of stonewalling until you give up.
5. Watch for Red Flags.
If they respond with:
“I need more medical information” → Wrong. That’s overreach.
“I’ll have to think about it” → Not a valid delay.
“This will cost me too much” → They better back that up with specifics and proof.
You’ve now got the paper trail to take it further.
Can the Landlord Say No?
Yes—but only under specific, limited conditions.
They can reject your request if:
It would cause undue financial or administrative hardship, or
It would fundamentally alter the nature of their housing services
And no, “I don’t want to deal with this” doesn’t count as a legitimate reason. Most typical requests—like a service dog or grab bars—must be granted.
What If They Ignore You or Say No Without a Legitimate Reason?
That’s a problem. A legal one.
If your landlord refuses, stalls, or tries to retaliate—whether by raising rent, starting eviction threats, or simply ghosting your request—you’ve got grounds to push back.
That’s where SELATAG steps in.
We help tenants put these requests in writing, document violations, and take legal action if the landlord crosses the line. No fluff, no runaround—just tools to make your housing work for your real-world needs.
Reach out. We’ll help you get what the law already promises.