Landlord Can’t Enforce Parking Rule

Daily Newspaper shutterstock_1272343108A Las Vegas landlord, homeowners association and its management company have agreed to pay $65,000 to settle allegations that they discriminated against a tenant by enforcing a parking rule.

The tenant family uses a privately-owned ambulance to transport their son with a disability.  When not in use, the vehicle is parked outside the residence. The victims claim they provided the homeowners association with a letter documenting the familys need for the ambulance, but the association and its property management company refused the familys requests, citing association rules that do not allow residents to park commercial vehicles on their properties. The family then filed a complaint with HUD.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires housing providers, including landlords, property managers and homeowners associations, to make reasonable accommodations in their rules, policies, practices or services when needed to provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to use or enjoy a dwelling.

Under the terms of the settlement, the landlord, association and manager will pay $65,000 to the family and establish a reasonable accommodation policy for future requests. In addition, they agreed to revise their management practices, rental agreements, and occupancy rules to better accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities.

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