View Full Version : Question on apt. complex accessibility
I had no idea where to post it so I figured I'd post it here.
Next year for school my friends want to sign on an apartment REALLY close to the QUAD on campus where all the classes are for me, the problem is that you park under the building and there is only stairs up to the apartments.
They / I was wondering that if I complain or request it if the realtor HAS to put in an elevator for access?
It's in Normal, IL AT Illinois State University.
SCI-Nurse
10-09-2006, 08:51 PM
No, I don't think they do not have to put in an elevator if there is access from street parking to the apartment, and there is designated handicapped parking (which cannot be reserved only for your use).
I am moving this to the Life forum.
(KLD)
wheelchairTITAN
10-09-2006, 09:26 PM
I had no idea where to post it so I figured I'd post it here.
Next year for school my friends want to sign on an apartment REALLY close to the QUAD on campus where all the classes are for me, the problem is that you park under the building and there is only stairs up to the apartments.
They / I was wondering that if I complain or request it if the realtor HAS to put in an elevator for access?
It's in Normal, IL AT Illinois State University. I would be cautious in making a request based on the property desciptor you have given here. The following is from the "Fair Housing Act" and even if a person modifies a premise at their own expense they may be required to return it to the same state upon leaving.
If you are talking about a dwelling that under law would not be required to provide access such as a private home/apartment then "reasonable accommodation' by the landlord would likely not apply. If for example you were leasing/renting for one year on your own/or with roomies and paying $1000 a month in rent and the cost of a lift fully installed would be $14000 with all costs in then it is highly unlikely that this would be a reasonable accommodation.
These zero returns would be considered onerous costs. Even if you sued it would likely take 2-5 years just to get a definitive ruling. With damages eligible to the litigant "suing", it may wel/would perhaps be seen simply as a way of making money from a law suit. There are a lot of "greenmail" disability litigants who are making it more difficult to get a favorable ruling in questionable cases. Just my two cents worth.
Fair Housing Act: Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications Statute:
42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)
For purposes of this subsection, discrimination includes - (A) a refusal to permit, at the expense of the handicapped person, 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 except that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may where it is reasonable to do so condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. http://www.dlrp.org/html/topical/housing/housing-reasonable.html
Broknwing
10-10-2006, 01:23 AM
Could they put in a ramp to the apartments? Obviously I have not seen the property/layout, but if you are planning on living there, I would think that they'd have to provide you access to the apartment from the parking area SOMEHOW...
well they call the apartments "The stilts" for that exact reason.
here is the best picture i could draw
Its like a two story building, first story / ground level is parking, 2nd story is apartments and deck area.
http://www.hotget.com/stilts.gif
SCI-Nurse
10-10-2006, 10:06 AM
When was the complex built?
(KLD)
When was the complex built?
(KLD)
They were built in 2000
Broknwing
10-11-2006, 04:21 AM
They were built in 2000
Then by law they HAVE TO have ADA qualified access somewhere...Have you asked where their accessable apartments are located? or what accomodations they have in place to get from the parking lot to the apartments to meet ADA requirement?
Then by law they HAVE TO have ADA qualified access somewhere...Have you asked where their accessable apartments are located? or what accomodations they have in place to get from the parking lot to the apartments to meet ADA requirement?
no I haven't asked, wanted to check here first.
Actually I just found a link to the actual apartments here.
http://www.sami.com/apartments/apartments_profile.php?id=131
addiesue
10-12-2006, 03:57 AM
$400 for a 4 bedroom....dang Good luck finding a place. I found that renting in a wheelchair can be difficult.