When to Use This Letter
Use this template if you need housing accommodations due to a disability or medical condition. This includes:
- Service animals or emotional support animals
- Mobility aids or wheelchair accessibility modifications
- Accessible parking spaces
- Modified lease terms due to disability (flexible work schedule, service access)
- Exemptions from standard policies for medical reasons
- Assistance animals or personal care attendants
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords and housing programs must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. They cannot discriminate or charge extra fees. Getting your request in writing creates a record and often triggers the formal review process.
Pro Tips
- Medical documentation helps. If possible, include a letter from your healthcare provider explaining your disability and why the accommodation is needed. You don't need to disclose the specific diagnosis.
- Be specific about what you need. Describe exactly what accommodation would help and why.
- Send to the right person. Address it to the landlord, property manager, or housing authority official. If you don't know who, call and ask for the person who handles accommodations.
- Keep a copy. Send via email (saves the sent timestamp) or certified mail. Don't rely on verbal requests.
- Don't overshare. You don't need to disclose your diagnosis or all medical details—just that you have a disability and need the accommodation.
Template Letter
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
[DATE]
[LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME]
[PROPERTY NAME/ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]
Re: Request for Reasonable Accommodation
Dear [LANDLORD/MANAGER NAME]:
I am writing to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. I have a disability that necessitates the following accommodation:
[DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC ACCOMMODATION YOU NEED. EXAMPLE: I need permission to have a service dog in my unit. OR: I need a reserved accessible parking space. OR: I need permission to install grab bars in the bathroom.]
This accommodation is necessary to provide me with equal access to and enjoyment of my housing. The need for this accommodation is related to my disability.
I am attaching documentation from my healthcare provider supporting this request. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
I request that you respond to this request within [10-14] days. Under the Fair Housing Act, reasonable accommodations must be granted unless they pose an undue financial hardship or fundamentally alter the nature of your operations.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[YOUR SIGNATURE]
[YOUR PRINTED NAME]
What to Customize
- [YOUR NAME], [YOUR ADDRESS], etc.: Fill in your contact information at the top.
- [DATE]: Use today's date or the date you're sending this.
- [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME]: The person's actual name if you know it. If not, "Property Manager" is fine.
- [PROPERTY NAME/ADDRESS]: Your rental property's address or the management company address.
- [DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC ACCOMMODATION...]: Be clear about what you need. Instead of "I need accommodations," explain: "I need permission for my service dog," or "I need an accessible parking space," or "I need to install grab bars."
- [10-14] days: Adjust the response timeframe if needed, but 10-14 days is standard.
Tips for Sending
- Email is best. Send to the landlord or property manager's email and you'll have a time-stamped record of delivery.
- Certified mail with return receipt is second best. This proves they received it. Keep the return receipt.
- Keep documentation. If your healthcare provider writes a letter, keep a copy of that too. You may need to provide it if there's a dispute.
- Follow up if you don't hear back. If they don't respond within 2 weeks, send a follow-up email referencing your original request.
- You don't need a lawyer. Housing programs must respond to reasonable accommodation requests. If they refuse without good reason, you can file a complaint with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).