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Apartment hunting can be a long and stressful time for anyone, but this is especially true for those with a disability. There are a lot of things to do and take care of, and having a disability can make it even more difficult. Tens of millions of Americans live every day with a disability of some kind, so many people face this issue.
Whether you have mobility problems, vision problems, cognitive-related issues or a number of other disabilities, searching for an apartment can prove difficult. Thankfully, there are some things that can make the hunt a little bit easier for those with a disability. With that in mind, this blog post is going to go over some tips for apartment hunting with a disability.
Use Online Resources as Much as Possible
If you have a disability, it can sometimes be difficult to get around to effectively visit multiple properties each and every day. Thankfully, with the advancements in technology and the internet, you don’t even need to leave your home to start your apartment hunting journey.
There are plenty of online resources to help with your apartment search. They can help you find units within your price range, can search in specific areas and can let you reach out to landlords right then and there. For example, visit UMoveFree if you want a powerful and popular apartment searching tool. That is only one of dozens of different resources to help you locate the right apartment for your needs.
Look for Important Accessibility Features
When searching for apartments and homes with a disability, there are some things to keep in mind. While this will vary depending on your disability, your apartment may need to look different than the normal. For example, you may need wider doors, ramps for entry and exit, handicap stalls, and even the design/height of things in your apartment may need to be different.
If you can visit the apartment, be sure to be on the lookout for these kinds of things. However, if you can’t visit it for one reason or another, be sure to ask landlords about them. In most cases, newer apartment complexes or units will be better suited for those with a disability. But this isn’t always the case, so be sure to ask around.
Know Your Rights
While it is important for every renter to know their rights, this is especially true for those with a disability. The Fair Housing Act requires that landlords treat you right, even if you have a disability. Your apartment and landlord needs to accommodate your needs, can’t set unfairly different rates or terms and cannot refuse to rent you an apartment.
Unfortunately, some with disabilities have experienced discrimination from landlords over the years, which can make finding an apartment difficult. Be sure to read up on and understand your rights. If you’re struggling to understand them, be sure to ask others for assistance. The better you know your rights, the better your apartment search will go.
Get to Know the Area Around the Apartment
While having an apartment that is accessible for someone with a disability, you can’t forget about the area around your apartment. You should know how congested the streets or sidewalks are, how close the nearest stores are and how close to public transportation is the apartments.
The easier it is to get to the store and get around, the less time you will waste every day. Keeping this in mind will ensure you can safely traverse the area around your apartment without assistance or without having to worry. You can do your own recon of the area surrounding the apartment, or ask someone familiar with that area.
In conclusion, this article will be able to help improve and optimize the apartment hunting process for those with a disability.
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