Housing rights
The Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities who rent or buy a home, and the group homes they live in.
This page is general information in plain language. It is not legal advice. For help with your own situation, contact one of the free helpers listed on this page.
Your rights
- A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, charge more, or treat you differently because of a disability.
- A landlord cannot ask what your disability is or ask for medical records.
- Reasonable accommodations: changes to rules, like allowing an assistance animal, a live-in aide, help with the application, or a reserved parking spot.
- Reasonable modifications: physical changes, like grab bars or a ramp. In private housing the tenant usually pays. In federally funded housing the owner usually pays.
- Cities cannot use zoning rules to keep group homes for people with disabilities out of neighborhoods.
How to ask
- Ask in writing and say the change is needed because of a disability.
- Explain how it helps. You do not need to name a diagnosis.
- Keep copies and write down dates.
- If they say no, you can file a complaint with HUD within one year.
Help paying for housing
See Housing assistance for vouchers and programs for people with disabilities.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Laws, dollar amounts, and program rules change. Check with the agency named on this page before you make a decision.