Reasonable accommodation for lack of income due to disability

[Maya Jones]

As a small landlord putting rental criteria together, I have decided to not accept cosigners or guarantors as I want to minimize risk. 
If I have a person with disability asking for cosigner / guarantor to help them meet the income criteria How  does that process of communication work? It’s my understanding that I need to consider their request to allow them to use a cosigner/ gurantor so they can have a fair chance to housing. But how do I deal with the process? Do I ask for more information about the cosigners to see if they meet my prescreening criteria? If yes then allow a tour ( what I would typically do after prescreening criteria has been  met) 
Has anyone have had to deal with this before? 
I’d love your thoughts. 

also if their income doesnt meet the threshold of 3x rent because of their disability to work?. Why should I approve them? Even with cosigner

shouldnt they look for a cheaper housing option? 

looking for honest advice, not trying to get in trouble here

[G. Brian Davis]

Hi @Maya Jones You can set neutral, written rental criteria and apply them consistently to everyone. A disability accommodation request doesn’t mean automatic approval, it means you must consider the request and document your decision.

If your policy is no cosigner's, you can ask whether another accommodation would help (such as alternative income verification or rental assistance). If a cosigner is requested, you’re allowed to screen them using the same standards you’d apply to any financially responsible party. You’re not required to accept a guarantor who doesn’t meet your criteria or to take on more risk than you normally would.

If the applicant still can’t meet income requirements even with a qualified cosigner, you can deny based on inability to pay, as long as that standard is applied consistently and documented. When in doubt, a quick check with a local landlord association or fair housing attorney is a smart move.