Worried for an elderly couple

[Jimmy Chao]

I’m finishing up the rehab on a duplex unit and have an elderly couple who are friends with the tenant next door about ready to apply. I did a walk through with them, and the gentleman had trouble walking up the sidewalk steps to the porch and then with the stairs to the 2nd floor.

While she’s is in great shape, I’m worried that she is the dominant one and not seeing how he’s struggling. So I’m also worried about him falling down the stairs or steps.

[Nathan Gesner]

Originally posted by @Jimmy Chao:

@Zachary Ray @Nam Trang @Theresa Harris That’s exactly what I was thinking. There’s a railing at the porch stairs and two for the 1st to 2nd floor stairs. I really don’t see what else I’m legally required to do to make it a reasonable accommodation.

 You misunderstand. You only make a "reasonable accommodation" if one is requested and if it is reasonable. If the tenant asks you to install a wheelchair ramp, you should do to that only if it is a reasonable request. For example, it would be unreasonable to install a wheelchair ramp in the home shown below.

If the tenant appears to have difficulty walking up stairs, that's not your concern. They are adults and can decide for themselves what they can handle. If they later come back and ask you to install a wheelchair ramp or grab bars in the bathroom, you can determine whether that is a reasonable request and then act accordingly. Until then, it's none of your business.