What action must a landlord take if a tenant requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability?

When a tenant requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability, the landlord must assess and provide the accommodation when appropriate. This requirement aligns with the Fair Housing Act, which mandates that landlords engage in an interactive process with the tenant to determine the validity of the request and the feasibility of the accommodation.

The landlord is expected to carefully evaluate the request in light of the tenant's needs and consider how the accommodation might help mitigate the effects of the tenant's disability. If the accommodation is reasonable and does not impose an undue burden on the landlord or fundamentally alter the residential property, it should generally be approved.

This process involves both evaluating the specific needs of the tenant and ensuring that the accommodation is practical within the context of the property management. The landlord should also communicate clearly with the tenant throughout this process to ensure understanding and compliance with the legal obligations.

On the other hand, immediately providing the accommodation without assessment may not be appropriate, as each situation requires careful consideration. Declining the request outright could violate anti-discrimination laws and requesting further documentation might only be suitable in certain circumstances, such as when the nature of the disability or the need for accommodation is not clear. However, the important factor is that there should be an assessment to determine the appropriateness of the request