InstaBidsWho pays for a tenant's grab bars, ramp or other disability modification?
Identify the housing program and proposed modification before deciding who will arrange the work. Read the federal provisions below with the tenancy documents, and keep the work description, permission and restoration discussion together.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 3604 (govinfo, U.S. Code 2023 edition), read 23 October 2026.
Source: 24 CFR 100.203 (eCFR), read 23 October 2026.
Source: HUD and DOJ, Joint Statement on Reasonable Modifications (2008, PDF), read 23 October 2026.
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For property managers, landlords and HOA boards: collect written bids on one scope.
- Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
- Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
- Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
- You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
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Key facts
- Fair Housing Act modification clause: "(A) a refusal to permit, at the expense of the handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises except that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may where it is reasonable to do so condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted."
Source: 42 U.S.C. 3604 (govinfo, U.S. Code 2023 edition), read 23 October 2026.
- Federal modification regulation: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to permit, at the expense of a handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by a handicapped person, if the proposed modifications may be necessary to afford the handicapped person full enjoyment of the premises of a dwelling. In the case of a rental, the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. The landlord may not increase for handicapped persons any customarily required security deposit. However, where it is necessary in order to ensure with reasonable certainty that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end of the tenancy, the landlord may negotiate as part of such a restoration agreement a provision requiring that the tenant pay into an interest bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period, a reasonable amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations. The interest in any such account shall accrue to the benefit of the tenant."
Source: 24 CFR 100.203 (eCFR), read 23 October 2026.
- Federal workmanship provision: "(b) A landlord may condition permission for a modification on the renter providing a reasonable description of the proposed modifications as well as reasonable assurances that the work will be done in a workmanlike manner and that any required building permits will be obtained."
Source: 24 CFR 100.203 (eCFR), read 23 October 2026.
- HUD and DOJ joint statement: "Housing that receives federal financial assistance is covered by both the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under regulations implementing Section 504, structural changes needed by an applicant or resident with a disability in housing receiving federal financial assistance are considered reasonable accommodations. They must be paid for by the housing provider unless providing them would be an undue financial and administrative burden or a fundamental alteration of the program or unless the housing provider can accommodate the individual’s needs through other means. Housing that receives federal financial assistance and that is provided by state or local entities may also be covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act."
Source: HUD and DOJ, Joint Statement on Reasonable Modifications (2008, PDF), read 23 October 2026.
What does the Fair Housing Act say about modifications?
Begin with the statutory modification clause, quoted in full below.
Fair Housing Act modification clause, read 23 October 2026: "(A) a refusal to permit, at the expense of the handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises except that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may where it is reasonable to do so condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted."
Source: 42 U.S.C. 3604 (govinfo, U.S. Code 2023 edition), read 23 October 2026.
What does the federal regulation say about restoration?
Read the complete regulation paragraph before settling the work and restoration arrangements.
Federal modification regulation, read 23 October 2026: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to permit, at the expense of a handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by a handicapped person, if the proposed modifications may be necessary to afford the handicapped person full enjoyment of the premises of a dwelling. In the case of a rental, the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. The landlord may not increase for handicapped persons any customarily required security deposit. However, where it is necessary in order to ensure with reasonable certainty that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end of the tenancy, the landlord may negotiate as part of such a restoration agreement a provision requiring that the tenant pay into an interest bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period, a reasonable amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations. The interest in any such account shall accrue to the benefit of the tenant."
Source: 24 CFR 100.203 (eCFR), read 23 October 2026.
Can a landlord ask for workmanship and permit assurances?
Use the regulation paragraph below when documenting the proposed work.
Federal workmanship provision, read 23 October 2026: "(b) A landlord may condition permission for a modification on the renter providing a reasonable description of the proposed modifications as well as reasonable assurances that the work will be done in a workmanlike manner and that any required building permits will be obtained."
Source: 24 CFR 100.203 (eCFR), read 23 October 2026.
What changes when housing receives federal financial assistance?
Identify the housing program before relying on the general modification provision. The joint statement addresses this setting in its own words.
HUD and DOJ joint statement, read 23 October 2026: "Housing that receives federal financial assistance is covered by both the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under regulations implementing Section 504, structural changes needed by an applicant or resident with a disability in housing receiving federal financial assistance are considered reasonable accommodations. They must be paid for by the housing provider unless providing them would be an undue financial and administrative burden or a fundamental alteration of the program or unless the housing provider can accommodate the individual’s needs through other means. Housing that receives federal financial assistance and that is provided by state or local entities may also be covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act."
Source: HUD and DOJ, Joint Statement on Reasonable Modifications (2008, PDF), read 23 October 2026.
How can you describe accessibility work for contractor bids?
Make the proposed physical change clear before comparing contractor proposals. This is practical reasoning, not legal advice and not a finding from any agency.
- Write down the requested physical change and the access problem it should address.
- Agree on the proposed work and any restoration arrangement in writing before sending the scope to contractors.
- Ask each bidder to separate installation, finish work and permit responsibilities, while keeping personal medical details out of the bid request.
Who sees your contact details when you post on InstaBids?
Contact details stay hidden until the homeowner picks a contractor and they confirm the connection.
Source: InstaBids process and privacy, live-page excerpts, read 23 October 2026.
Post your job on InstaBids, and contractors can bid in writing on one written scope.
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