A Message from Greg Paielli
Dear Client, Customer, & Friends
Hello and welcome to our spring newsletter. I was recently reviewing market statistics in Tucson, Arizona and noticed what an incredible month February 2015 was. All market indicators improved on strong sales volume. There seems to be a lot of new inventory on the market and mortgage rates are still low. A few notable statistics are median house prices are up 5% from February 2015 and homes under contract have increased by 1.63% over last month. The increased inventory of 2.38% over February 2015 has allowed buyers more choices of fresh product.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and visiting our site. Your business is invaluable and your referrals are always highly appreciated. Should you need assistance regarding your property management needs, short selling your home, purchasing a new home, or any general questions, please feel free to contact me. We are here to serve you!!
Thank You,
Greg Paielli
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The Federal Fair Housing Act (known as the Act) prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. The Department of Justice (the DOJ) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) jointly enforce this landmark legislation. Most states also have additional Fair Housing laws.
Fair Housing requirements make it unlawful for a housing provider or homeowners' association to refuse to allow a reasonable accommodation or a reasonable modification to the premises when they may be necessary to afford persons with disabilities full enjoyment of a dwelling, including public and common use spaces.
- A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service.
- A reasonable modification is a structural change made to the premises. Reasonable modifications can include structural changes to interiors and exteriors of dwellings and to common and public use areas. The property owner or manager must permit the modifications but they are at the tenant's expense.
Examples of reasonable accommodations are:
- Renting to a disabled person
- Allowing a disabled person to have a support animal
- Not charging additional fees or pet deposits for a support animal
- Providing a wheelchair ramp in a common area
Examples of reasonable modifications are:
- A resident with a hearing disability wants to install a peephole in her door so she can see who is there before she opens it.
- A resident with a mobility issue wants to install grab bars in the bathroom.
- A resident with a mobility issue wants to install a ramp outside the building in a common area.
Here are other facts regarding reasonable modifications:
- The tenant or someone acting on the tenant's behalf is responsible for costs associated with a reasonable modification.
- A reasonable accommodation is at a resident's request for a person with a disability and the property owner and/or manager can request 3rd party verification (like a doctor's note) that a modification is necessary.
- A tenant can make a request for a reasonable modification at any time before or during the tenancy.
- The tenant's request must be reasonable and should not present an undue burden on the property owner.
- If the modification is not reasonable or if it would impose an undue hardship, the property owner can deny the request.
- If the property owner denies a request, a property owner and/or manager should send a letter to the applicant or resident. The letter should explain the denial, the facts behind the denial, how they discovered the facts, and offer to meet with the applicant/resident.
- Property owners or managers should not offer to make a modification to a resident but should wait for a resident to request the modification. Offering a modification before it is requested may subject a property owner to a claim of discrimination.
- To show that a requested modification may be necessary, there must be an identifiable relationship between the requested modification and the individual's disability.
HUD and the DOJ receive numerous complaints alleging that property owners and/or managers are refusing both reasonable accommodations and modifications to persons with disabilities. Complaints can lead to legal action and/or financial losses for investors.
As your property management company, we take each request by the disabled seriously, reviewing the costs and the Fair Housing laws upon receipt of the request prior to taking action. We will always work to avoid incurring risk for your investment and following the Fair Housing laws are a top priority.
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