You've known for weeks that you need to ask your landlord for a change. Maybe it's a designated parking spot closer to your unit, or permission to install grab bars in the bathroom, or an exception to the no-pets policy for your emotional support animal. The Fair Housing Act gives you the right to request reasonable accommodations, but knowing you have the right doesn't make the request feel any less daunting.

Here's what happens when you make the request: the documentation you need, the timeline your landlord is working within, and what to do if they say no.

What Counts as a Reasonable Accommodation

A reasonable accommodation is a change to a rule, policy, or practice that allows a person with a disability to use and enjoy their housing. It's not a physical modification to the dwelling itself. Physical changes to the unit are called reasonable modifications, and those follow a different process. Accommodations are about how the housing operates.

Common examples include:

• Assigning a specific parking spot closer to your unit
• Waiving a no-pets policy for an assistance or emotional support animal
• Allowing a live-in caregiver even if the lease restricts additional occupants
• Providing notices or lease documents in an accessible format
• Permitting a service or support provider to enter the building outside standard visiting hours

The accommodation must be reasonable, meaning it doesn't create an undue financial or administrative burden for the landlord and doesn't fundamentally alter the nature of the housing. Requests that are expensive, structurally unsafe, or violate zoning laws may be denied, but that determination comes after the request, not before.

You Don't Need a Lawyer to Make the Request

You don't need legal representation to request a reasonable accommodation. You don't even need to submit the request in writing, though putting it in writing creates a record of when you asked and what you asked for. That record matters if the request is denied or ignored.

Written requests also clarify exactly what you're asking for. A verbal conversation can feel less formal, but it's easier for details to get lost or misunderstood. A letter removes that ambiguity.

What to Include in Your Request Letter

Your request letter doesn't need to be long, and it doesn't need to use legal language. It needs to state three things:

1. You have a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act. You don't need to name the specific diagnosis or describe symptoms in detail. "I have a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act" is sufficient.

Here's a template you can adapt:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [Date]

[Landlord's Name] [Landlord's Address]

Dear [Landlord's Name],

I am writing to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. I have a disability as defined by the Act, and I am requesting [specific accommodation].

This accommodation is necessary because [brief explanation of connection between disability and request]. I have attached documentation from my healthcare provider verifying my disability and the need for this accommodation.

Please let me know if you need any additional information to process this request. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Send the letter by certified mail or email with a read receipt so you have proof of delivery and the date your landlord received it.

What Documentation You'll Need

Your landlord can ask for documentation verifying that you have a disability and that the requested accommodation is related to that disability. They cannot ask for your medical records, a specific diagnosis, or details about the severity of your condition.

Acceptable documentation includes a letter from a licensed healthcare provider stating:

• You are their patient or client
• You have a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act
• The requested accommodation is necessary because of that disability

The letter should be on the provider's letterhead and include their contact information and license number. It should not describe symptoms, treatment history, or prognosis unless that information is directly relevant to explaining why the accommodation is necessary.

If your disability is obvious or already known to the landlord, they may not need additional documentation. If you use a wheelchair and you're requesting a designated accessible parking spot, that connection is clear. But even in obvious cases, having a letter from a healthcare provider can prevent delays.

The Timeline Your Landlord Is Working Within

There's no federal regulation specifying exactly how many days a landlord has to respond to an accommodation request, but courts and HUD guidance establish that the response must come within a "reasonable time," typically 10 business days. Some state or local laws set specific deadlines.

If your landlord doesn't respond within 10 days, follow up in writing. "I submitted a reasonable accommodation request on [date]. I have not yet received a response. Please confirm receipt and provide an estimated timeline for your decision."

If the landlord needs more information to evaluate your request, they should ask for it promptly. Requests shouldn't sit unanswered for weeks because the landlord is waiting to see if you'll provide something they haven't asked for.

What Your Landlord Can and Can't Ask

Your landlord can ask for documentation that verifies your disability and the connection between the disability and the accommodation. They cannot ask for:

• Your complete medical records
• A specific diagnosis by name
• Details about your treatment plan or medication
• Information about how long you've had the disability or whether it will improve

They also cannot require you to use a specific doctor or form. If your healthcare provider writes a letter on their own letterhead explaining that you have a disability and need the requested accommodation, that's sufficient. The landlord doesn't get to dictate the format or demand a second opinion unless the initial documentation is vague or incomplete.

If your landlord asks for information beyond what's legally allowed, you can respond in writing: "Under the Fair Housing Act, I am not required to provide [specific request]. I have already submitted documentation verifying my disability and the need for this accommodation."

What Happens If Your Request Is Denied

If your landlord denies your request, they must provide a reason in writing. Valid reasons for denial include:

• The requested accommodation would impose an undue financial or administrative burden
• The accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the housing
• The accommodation would require structural changes that violate building codes or zoning laws
• The tenant does not have a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act
• There's no connection between the disability and the requested accommodation

If the denial doesn't include a reason, or if the reason doesn't meet Fair Housing Act standards, you can file a complaint with HUD. You have one year from the date of the denial to file.

You can file online at www.hud.gov/fairhousing, by phone at 1-800-669-9777, or by mail. HUD will investigate the complaint, and if they find reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred, they'll either facilitate a settlement or refer the case for legal proceedings.

You can also file a lawsuit in federal or state court within two years of the denial. If you win, the court can order the landlord to grant the accommodation, and you may be entitled to damages and attorney's fees.

What If You're Not Sure What to Ask For

If you know you need something but you're not sure what accommodation would solve the problem, start by describing the barrier. "I have difficulty accessing my unit because the parking lot is too far from the entrance" identifies the problem without prescribing the solution. The landlord may suggest alternatives you hadn't considered, or you may work together to find an accommodation that meets your needs without imposing an undue burden.

The interactive process is part of the Fair Housing Act's requirements. This means you and the landlord discuss potential accommodations together. Your landlord can't dismiss your request just because the specific accommodation you proposed isn't feasible. They're required to engage with you to find a solution that works.

What Happens After the Accommodation Is Granted

Once your landlord approves the accommodation, get the approval in writing. If the accommodation involves a policy change, such as allowing an emotional support animal, ask for written confirmation that the policy exception applies to you and that you won't be charged a pet fee or deposit.

If the accommodation involves a physical change you're making to the unit, confirm in writing what changes are approved, who's paying for installation, and whether you're required to remove the modifications when you move out.

The accommodation stays in effect as long as you live in the unit and continue to need it. Your landlord can't revoke it later unless your circumstances change in a way that makes the accommodation no longer necessary.

If You're Still Not Sure Where to Start

Disability rights organizations in most states provide free templates, sample letters, and phone consultations for tenants navigating accommodation requests. Disability Rights Texas, Disability Rights NC, and Equal Housing all publish guides and can connect you with local legal aid if your situation becomes more complex.

You don't need to be an expert on the Fair Housing Act to exercise your rights under it. You need to state your request in plain language, document what you've asked for and when, and follow up when you don't get a response. That's the process. The rest is your landlord's legal obligation to respond.