Disabled veteran wants a new toilet

Member since 2019 · 3 posts · 0 votes

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

Landlords should accept reasonable accommodations for disabled people. Replacing a toilet is reasonable and inexpensive.

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Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
4y
While the decision is entirely yours. If it were me, I'd do it and have no justification for my decision. My properties are very profitable and I do what I want-this guy is a veteran.
10 Reply
Bill B.
Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
4y
Home Depot $99 for handicap height oval toilet. It’s the only thing I use when replacing toilets.
7 Reply
Jim K.
Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
4y
A 17-inch toilet is typically referred to as a "comfort height" or "chair height" toilet. Pretty much every cheap new toilet you could buy is pitched at 17 inches, some are pitched a bit higher. They're very popular these days.

A new inexpensive and functional toilet like this costs $100 to buy at Lowes or THD. A raised seat like you're talking about costs $25 on Amazon.

In my view, this is not the kind of thing you should let negatively impact the landlord-tenant relationship. I would buy the toilet and install it myself, for the most robust solution. But I am a handyman and local circumstances force me to register myself as a home improvement contractor and also to carry insurance for my work. You might choose to buy and install the seat, which is easier.
Now, you may not be present or available to do this sort of thing, or may not have a business relationship with a local handyman to install things like this in a cost-effective way.

In that case, you really don't have much business getting into Section 8 renting in the first place, because there's a lot of this sort of thing involved.
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JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes
4y
I'm probably biased, being that I'm a veteran, but considering you can probably have the whole thing in for $250, unless there was a functional reason that the bathroom had to have a small round bowl toilet I would just go ahead and put the new toilet in. Maybe not required but good karma.
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Mo Maktari
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 68 posts · 56 votes
4y
Yeah I agree with others, cut your loss and install what is requested. Is he a good tenant? Pay on time? Doesn't cause trouble? And he's a veteran...better to lose tiny portion of the profit on a good tenant in my opinion.
5 Reply
Rodney Sums
Laveen, AZ · Member since 2016 · 584 posts · 528 votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Without being insensitive to the fact this person served our country and is disabled, is there any part of your lease, contract with Section 8, and/or local law that requires you to make this accommodation? If not, you should do this only as a courtesy and out of the kindness of your heart not because you've been compelled to or made to feel as you owe it to them. They saw what toilet was in the unit when you leased it. What you should be cautious of is finding yourself receiving more demands for accommodations that you're not legally responsible for. What reason did he give you for rejecting the VA's assistance and instead wanting you to buy a new toilet?
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
4y
Landlords should accept reasonable accommodations for disabled people. Replacing a toilet is reasonable and inexpensive.
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Ricardo Cuartas
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Member since 2019 · 3 posts · 0 votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all for the great input. He has been a great tenant and I support and appreciate the valor and courage of serving our country. The issue I have is that he is demanding it and is not open to other methods or ways in order to relieve his pain, I have offered a higher toilet seat, supportive toilet seat, going tl the VA to obtain one etc,etc. If I buy him a new toilet maybe $750-$1000 for everything and the day he leaves I might have to spend another $750- $1000 to put a regular toilet for the new tenant. My question is by law, I'm I required to get him a new higher toilet??

thank you
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Matt M.
Specialist · Easton, PA · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all for the great input. He has been a great tenant and I support and appreciate the valor and courage of serving our country. The issue I have is that he is demanding it and is not open to other methods or ways in order to relieve his pain, I have offered a higher toilet seat, supportive toilet seat, going tl the VA to obtain one etc,etc. If I buy him a new toilet maybe $750-$1000 for everything and the day he leaves I might have to spend another $750- $1000 to put a regular toilet for the new tenant. My question is by law, I'm I required to get him a new higher toilet??

thank you

Why would this cost you $750-1000? Like

@Jim K. said, a comfort height/chair height toilet can cost you a minimum of $100, and a plumber can only charge so much for a 20 minute job of replacing a toilet. Not to mention he’s a veteran.
One of my tenants called on Saturday. He said his dryer stopped working and had another delivered only to find it was my 220 dryer line that was not working properly so they took the new dryer away and charged him $150 for coming out for basically nothing to deliver/undeliver a new dryer. I went out Sunday, fixed the issue and told him to take the $150 off his rent as it wasn’t his issue it was mine. He didn’t even ask for the $150, but it is just good business, he’s a great tenant.
get this guy the toilet and be a good dude.
2 Reply
Galen Ikonomov
Member since 2021 · 256 posts · 213 votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all for the great input. He has been a great tenant and I support and appreciate the valor and courage of serving our country. The issue I have is that he is demanding it and is not open to other methods or ways in order to relieve his pain, I have offered a higher toilet seat, supportive toilet seat, going tl the VA to obtain one etc,etc. If I buy him a new toilet maybe $750-$1000 for everything and the day he leaves I might have to spend another $750- $1000 to put a regular toilet for the new tenant. My question is by law, I'm I required to get him a new higher toilet??

thank you

Ricardo, the people that are going to tell you the exact answer you are looking for is call the local Section 8 office and ask them that question. Also, when they answer it, ask them where you can read what they just told you.
2 Reply
James Hamling
Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all for the great input. He has been a great tenant and I support and appreciate the valor and courage of serving our country. The issue I have is that he is demanding it and is not open to other methods or ways in order to relieve his pain, I have offered a higher toilet seat, supportive toilet seat, going tl the VA to obtain one etc,etc. If I buy him a new toilet maybe $750-$1000 for everything and the day he leaves I might have to spend another $750- $1000 to put a regular toilet for the new tenant. My question is by law, I'm I required to get him a new higher toilet??

thank you

WHY? Seriously, what does it matter?

Tons is said about REI and the financial freedom it can bring, but know what other freedom it affords, the freedom to GIVE-BACK to those you feel deserve it, for what causes you give a dang about. This guy SERVED, full-stop. He gave for you, for your family, your community, and he didn't know you or any of yours. Now he's having back problems and something so simple and mundane as a different toilet would make all the difference...... yeah, not only would I do it but I'd do it with a smile on my face.

Ever heard of Karma.......
1 Reply
Sylvia B.
Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all for the great input. He has been a great tenant and I support and appreciate the valor and courage of serving our country. The issue I have is that he is demanding it and is not open to other methods or ways in order to relieve his pain, I have offered a higher toilet seat, supportive toilet seat, going tl the VA to obtain one etc,etc. If I buy him a new toilet maybe $750-$1000 for everything and the day he leaves I might have to spend another $750- $1000 to put a regular toilet for the new tenant. My question is by law, I'm I required to get him a new higher toilet??

thank you

Not knowing where your rental is located, I can't say for sure, but I highly doubt that you are required by law to replace the toilet. As Galen said, call your local housing office and ask them.
$750-1000 for a toilet? What are you putting in, gold? As others have told you, 17" toilets are widely available for $100, and if your plumber or handyman wants more than $150-200 to install it, get a new plumber. And there is no reason at all to change it back to a lower height, so once it's done you're good.
I understand how a tenant demanding something makes you want to refuse, but just do this, and save your no for later.
2 Reply
Tim Miller
Rental Property Investor · Laurel, MD · Member since 2016 · 383 posts · 382 votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.
You said it yourself, "Disabled Veteran" now you have to follow ADA & Fair Housing. I don't follow you at all on this! Fair & Reasonable Accommodations & you're telling me that requesting a Chair High 17 inch toilet is unreasonable? There are a few other things I'd like to say but can't. So just replace the toilet, count your blessing for a good tenant and move on!
1 Reply
Scott Mac
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y
Section 8 lifetime renter...
Maybe offer an ADA grab bar install at the same time.
https://evstudio.com/ansi-vs-ada-restroom-grab-bar-requirements/
https://www.amazon.com/Handicap-Stainless-Bathroom-Pregnant-Disabled/dp/B08T771CSC?th=1
Good Luck!
3 Reply
Steven Foster Wilson
Rental Property Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Ricardo Cuartas:

Tenant is a disabled veteran and is currently section 8. He is having back pain since the normal and functional toilet he has is too short. I informed him to contact the VA so they can give him a special raised seat. He wants me to install and pay for a new 17 inch toilet. Any advice would be appreciated.
Speak it aloud as if you were at a party "yeah my tenant, a disabled veteran wanted a new toilet so his back would stop hurting, I told him to contact the VA......." . For the $200 cost I would replace it.
6 Reply
Mark Cruse
Investor · Fort Washington, MD · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y
Its very reasonable in my eyes and no matter what, I have the highest regard for my veterans. I have never had one but personally I would go above and beyond what is reasonable to accommodate them. Very small price for me to pay as it relates to my respect for those who stood the post!
3 Reply
Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
4y
- - Reasonable accommodations are changes in rules, policies, practices, or services so that a person with a disability has an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling unit or common space. (you pay)
- - A reasonable modification is a structural modification that is made to allow people with disabilities the full enjoyment of dwelling units and related facilities. (tenant pays).
Probably would fall under the later but I likely would still do it on my dime. I would however let the tenant know this isn't something that you are required to do and that further modifications fall on him.
1 Reply
Luka Milicevic
Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
It's a toilet.
He isn't asking for an elevator to the second floor.
I would do it and pay for it out of my pocket. It's a reasonable request if you ask me.
By the time the VA gets around to it, Elon Musk will have made 2 round trips to Mars.
6 Reply
Jarrod Kohl
Boston, MA · Member since 2017 · 209 posts · 126 votes
4y
Quote from @Scott Mac:

Section 8 lifetime renter...
Maybe offer an ADA grab bar install at the same time.
https://evstudio.com/ansi-vs-ada-restroom-grab-bar-requirements/
https://www.amazon.com/Handicap-Stainless-Bathroom-Pregnant-Disabled/dp/B08T771CSC?th=1
Good Luck!

Yeah if you are seeing $1k prices you may want to check sources? Not sure if we are all missing something here? This should be a cheap/fast and easy modification to do.
2 Reply
Matt Bishop
Rental Property Investor · Dallas, TX · Member since 2020 · 161 posts · 88 votes
4y
@Ricardo Cuartas, follow the Golden Rule. Treat each of your tenants ( customers) like they are your only customer. Keep your section 8 customers happy and the government checks coming in. Man up and take care of business. Appreciate your customers and you will prosper. Irritate a Section 8 tenant and they can get the housing authority to make your life hell. Take the high road.
0 Reply
Eric Bilderback
Real Estate Agent · Sisters, OR · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y
I just had a guy moving home from Afganistan he is coming home a month later than he originally thought. I am keeping it open for him and I would feel like a real schmuck if I didn't. Any tenant of mine that needed a specialty toilet I get it to them ASAP.
4 Reply
Eric Gerakos
Investor · Costa Mesa, CA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y
Just buy him the crapper. It’s the right thing to do.
3 Reply
Shane H.
Member since 2018 · 433 posts · 208 votes
4y
I literally had this discussion yesterday about why anyone would save the $30 installing the short toilet to begin with...
Ignoring the fact that the guy is a veteran, if any tenant of mine asked for a higher toilet for a medocal reason (which would only have a short toilet because i habent remodelled since purchasing...) i would get it done in a reasonable ammount of time. The only chance i would even be bitter is if theyd been there like a week. But even then, non contractor, non real estate investors, dont even know there are dofferent toilet heights. They saw a tpilet on inspection. Do your tenants usually sit on the toilet to make sure they can get back up easily during their inspection of the unit?
If your cashflow on this property is so tight you cant afford to give a disabled veteran a toilet for $300 or less, maybe you shpuld consider getting out from under it. In my area i could call a plumber i know right now at 9 am and probably have that toilet installed this evening, for no labor charge to help a veteran out. Nevermind that i would probably just do it myself. I agree with the above poster. Add a grab handle while youre in there.
1 Reply
Shane H.
Member since 2018 · 433 posts · 208 votes
4y
I fired that post off while I was running out the door and made an absurd number of typos. Im aware of them, but the app does not have an edit function. My apologies to everyone offended by my spelling and grammar. 🤣😂
0 Reply
Mike S.
Rental Property Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2013 · 419 posts · 323 votes
4y
A chair height toilet is not something you'd have to remove once installed for a non-disabled tenant. It's completely functional for everyone. It's not like a chair lift or ramp is being installed with structural changes that need to be remediated after the tenancy.
1 Reply

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