Accessibility Issues After Fire Damage to Your Unit? You May Be Entitled to Compensation!
Wildfires are difficult for everyone, but can create more challenges for those who are differently abled. Accessibility of your unit may cause everyday struggle for you, and your right to live comfortably and free from barriers that impede your ability to enjoy the space. You have the right to live in a habitable environment, and it is the responsibility of your landlord to ensure your safety.
Right to Accessibility
Duty to Make Reasonable Accommodations: Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities., which may include modifications to the property or temporary solutions in response to fire damage. If the fire damage has impaired accessibility features that you rely on, such as wider doors or a ramp, your landlord must restore them or offer alternative accommodations.
Assess the Accessibility Impact: Carefully evaluate how the fire damage has affected your ability to access and use your rental unit. This could include blocked entrances, damaged elevators or ramps, or issues with doorways or bathroom facilities. Make a list of the accessibility features that have been compromised.
Notify Your Landlord & Document: Promptly notify your landlord in writing of the specific features that have been damaged or rendered inaccessible and request immediate repairs or accommodations. Take photographs or videos and keep a copy of all written communications for your records. This documentation will be helpful in proving the extent of the fire’s effects on your living conditions and will strengthen your case if you need to take legal action.
Explore Temporary Solutions: If possible, ask your landlord for temporary accommodations, such as offering a different unit or making short-term modifications to improve accessibility while repairs are being made. California law requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations, and temporary solutions may be necessary in cases of fire damage.
Seek Legal Counsel: If your landlord is unresponsive or fails to address the accessibility issues within a reasonable timeframe, it may be time to consult with a lawyer. We are experienced in California tenant law and can help you understand your rights, demand that your landlord fix the issue, and compensate you for wrongdoing.
Repairs
Landlords must make repairs within a reasonable amount of time. If repairs are not made or unaddressed, you may have the right to pay a reduction in rent, relocation assistance, repair issues yourself and deduct additional payments from rent, break your lease without penalty, withhold further rent payments, or sue the landlord for any and all damages. Landlords cannot evict you if they spend too long on repairs or don’t accommodate your disabilities.
We can help you by providing compensation for any and all property loss claims, displacement costs, emotional distress, and accountability for any negligence.
Why Tenants Law Firm
Experience You Can Trust: Decades of experience handling wildfire claims.
Focused Advocacy for Tenants: We understand the unique challenges tenants face and tailor our approach to meet your needs.
No Upfront Fees: You don’t pay unless we win your case.
Proven Results: Millions recovered for victims of negligence and disaster.
If you've been displaced or suffered losses as a tenant due to a wildfire, you don’t have to face this alone. Contact Tenants Law Firm for a free consultation. Let us fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.