Fair Housing Act standards are designed to ensure that anyone with disabilities could comfortably live somewhere. If you want to meet these standards, you need to plan for accessibility and make sure that you are doing everything that you can to make the homes you build accessible. Keeping track of all of these standards isn’t always easy, but our Harris County construction lawyers can help you if you are concerned about compliance.
What Are the Fair Housing Act Standards?
There are seven primary Fair Housing Act standards that construction firms need to be concerned with. Some examples include:
Accessible entrances: There must be at least one accessible entrance for disabled people in a multi-family dwelling. It must offer space for maneuvering so that someone in a wheelchair or others with mobility issues can get into the building without issue.
Useable doors: On the same note, those doors at the entrance also must be useable by someone in a wheelchair. If the doors cannot be opened by someone with a disability or they are not wide enough to allow passage, this is a violation of Fair Housing Act standards.
Reinforced walls: The walls of a dwelling must be strong enough to accommodate modifications like grab bars. These can be crucial safety features for disabled or older residents.
Useable kitchens and bathrooms: These rooms need to offer space for a wheelchair to maneuver.
Accessible controls: Controls like light switches and thermostats cannot be positioned somewhere out of reach.
Do I Have to Meet Fair Housing Act Standards If I Follow Building Codes?
The standards of the Fair Housing Act and local building codes might not always have the same standards. Just building something that is up to code might not be sufficient. So it’s a good idea to make sure that your project is meeting both sets of standards as you proceed.
You also cannot just modify a home to meet FHA standards later on. So it’s important to know exactly which rules need to be followed and make sure that you do not run afoul of any rules during the completion of your project. This can just result in more headaches later.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Meet These Standards?
Yes, having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side can help when you are trying to abide by the law and meet Fair Housing Act standards. Your lawyer can answer any questions that you have and advise you about what needs to be done to bring a project up to the act’s standards. This is in addition to other useful services, like drawing up contracts and helping you settle disputes with others involved in your projects.
Contact Our Construction Industry Lawyers
If you have questions about FHA standards or any other rules about building, contact Patout & Shaw. We can help you avoid legal hassles, expensive fines, and hits to your reputation. So contact our lawyers today.
