Under fair housing guidance, who bears the cost for reversible modifications made by a handicapped tenant?

• A. The tenant
• B. The landlord
• C. A government grant
• D. The HOA

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a tenant with a disability can make reasonable modifications to the rental unit, but the cost of those reversible modifications is the tenant’s responsibility. The landlord must allow the modification to enable the tenant to use the dwelling, and the modification should be done in a way that can be undone if needed. If the tenant moves out, the unit should be restored to its original condition, with the tenant generally covering the restoration costs. Government grants or HOA funds aren’t the default source of payment in this scenario, though they might be available in some cases; the standard rule is that the tenant bears the cost.