Tenant’s Guide to Apartment Modifications

This is a cover page, the article begins on the next page. The following article was archived in the Submitted by Sharon Joines and Steven Valenziano Design Research and Methods Journal on behalf of the Center for Universal Design at NC State Tenant’s Guide to Apartment Modifications Abstract: Geared towards renters/ tenants/ residents of a landlord-owned property. Illustrates and describes how the entrance, kitchens, and bathrooms of a residence can be adapted to meet the needs of vari-ous people, in ways that are resonable for a rental facility. First Author: Phill Zook Keywords: housing; adaptable design; consumer recommendations; retrofit; renovation; rental; temporary Discipline: home retrofits; product design; adaptable design; accessibility This publication was prepared and distributed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Use PDF table of contents to navigate. Tenant’s Guide To Apartment Modifications An Idea Source Pamphlet to Simple, Low-cost Modifications to Increase Accessibility in Apartments Information on this publication This publication ~ prepared and distributed under a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Devel-opment (HUD). The information provided in this publication was developed by The Center for Universal Design and does not necessarily reflect the views of HUD. The recommendations and suggestions described in this publi-cation are offered as thoughtful solutions for accessibility problems encountered by people primarily with mobility disabilities. © NC STATE UNIVERSITY THE CENTER FOR UNIVERSAL DESIGN EDITORAND AUTHOR: PhiIl Zook, Architect GRAPHIC DESIGN: Kelly Houk & Robert Rock ILLUSTRATION: PhiIl Zook PHOTOGRAPHY: Kelly Houk DISCLAIMER: The modification solutions shown generally follow the requirements set by the major accessibility standards. However, before any modification is made to a dwelling unit, applicable federal, state and local regulations should be consulted and verified for compliance. Design professionals or other specialists should be consulted when undertaking extensive modifications or remodeling. This information is advisory and the guidance provided is not legally binding. Refer to specific codes and regulations within your jurisdictions. No guarantee is offered or implied for the completeness of the information provided. This publication was prepared and distributed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Use PDF table of contents to navigate. Tenant’s Guide To Apartment Modifications An Idea Source Pamphlet to Simple, Low-cost Modifications to Increase Accessibility in Apartments Information on this publication This publication ~ prepared and distributed under a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Devel-opment (HUD). The information provided in this publication was developed by The Center for Universal Design and does not necessarily reflect the views of HUD. The recommendations and suggestions described in this publi-cation are offered as thoughtful solutions for accessibility problems encountered by people primarily with mobility disabilities. © NC STATE UNIVERSITY THE CENTER FOR UNIVERSAL DESIGN EDITORAND AUTHOR: PhiIl Zook, Architect GRAPHIC DESIGN: Kelly Houk & Robert Rock ILLUSTRATION: PhiIl Zook PHOTOGRAPHY: Kelly Houk DISCLAIMER: The modification solutions shown generally follow the requirements set by the major accessibility standards. However, before any modification is made to a dwelling unit, applicable federal, state and local regulations should be consulted and verified for compliance. Design professionals or other specialists should be consulted when undertaking extensive modifications or remodeling. Accessibility and the Fair Housing Amendments Act The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 extends protection against dis-crimination in housing to persons with disabilities. The Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, or to discriminate in the terms, conditions, services or facilities provided because of a person’s disability or fam-ily status. Further, the Act requires that landlords and rental agents make reason-able accommodations in rules, policies, practices, and services to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to occupy and enjoy full use of a unit. For instance, in an apartment complex that does not have assigned parking, a tenant with a mobility disability may request an accommodation in the rules to allow the tenant an assigned parking place close to his/her dwelling unit entrance. In new construction of multi-family buildings containing four or more units, the Fair Housing Amendments Act requires minimum levels of accessibility. The goal is to ensure that new apartments are designed so they can be readily adapted to the needs of tenants with disabilities. New buildings do not have to be built to meet every disabled person’s needs, but they do have to meet minimum stand-ards which will make them more readily usable by many disabled people. The requirements and the guidelines for meeting them were published by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the title: The Fi-nal Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines - March 6, 1991. All newly constructed multi-family housing of four or more units built for first occupancy after March 13,1991, must meet these requirements. The Fair Housing Amendments Act also requires that landlords and rental agents allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to their units or common areas when such modifica-tions are needed to ensure the tenant’s ability to fully use and enjoy the housing. REASONABLEMODIFICATIONSOFEXISTINGUNITS Tenants with disabilities have the right to make certain reasonable modifications to their rental unit at their own expense. Landlords may not prohibit tenants with disabilities from making these modifications, although they may require that the modifications be completed in a “professional manner” and in compliance with applicable building codes. If a modification will interfere with the ability of the next tenant to use and enjoy the unit fully, a landlord may require that the tenant restore the unit to its original condition before leaving (at the tenant’s cost), wear and tear excepted. When expensive modifications are undertaken by a tenant, landlords may require tenants to pay into an escrow account to ensure that funds are available to restore the unit to its original condition. Restoration may not be required by the landlord in cases where the modification does not interfere with subsequent tenants’ use of the unit. Widened doorways, for instance, should not be required to be restored. Wall reinforcement for bathroom grab bars may remain, although the landlord may require that the grab bars themselves be removed and the wall finished, patched and repaired. ACCESSIBILITYMODIFICATIONSTOAPARTMENTS The purpose of this pamphlet is to present a source of illustrated ideas to some of the most commonly made modifications rental dwellings. The emphasis is on low cost modifications, keeping in mind that most tenants will only occupy the dwell-ing for a period of time, then move. The guide focuses on the three areas where most accessibility problems occur: entrances, bathrooms, and kitchens. This is not a complete or extensive manual of all the possibilities. For extensive modifi-cations and remodeling, tenants should consult design professionals and other specialists to assist them in preparing plans for modifications. A list of resources and readings on accessibility modifications to dwellings is found on the back cover of this manual. Notes on following pages: Landlords have the right to approve modification plans and require that modifi-cations be made in a professional, workmanlike way and be in compliance with applicable codes and regulations. *Indicates a modification which may be required to be restored at termination of tenancy. Entrances PROBLEM: TYPICALBARRIERSFOUNDATBUILDINGENTRANCES The peephole is too high. Round door knobs are hard to use. No handrails at stairs are a problem for some users No edge protection provided Abrupt level changes some-times occur at door threshold. Stairs are a barrier for people who use wheelchairs. No accessible parking or curb cuts prohibit access. ... - tailieumienphi.vn