Eviction and Reasonable Accommodations in Texas

No, not for disability alone. Sometimes, though, a disability can have characteristics or can cause conduct that may result in complaints or violate the lease. Disability Rights Texas discusses some of the eviction scenarios that might apply when dealing with certain accommodations, such as service animals. 

Maybe. Such conduct may violate the lease and may result in an eviction. But see the question below.

Generally not. For example, if a person has a service animal (trained to perform some task) or an emotional support animal (that gives comfort to a person with a psychiatric disability), it is not really a pet. In those cases, neither the person nor the animal can be excluded just because of a “no pets” policy.

Sometimes. Such conduct may violate the lease or even be illegal, and may result in eviction.

Maybe so. In some cases, the landlord may violate the law if it refuses to stop an eviction in response to a tenant’s request for a “reasonable accommodation.” So asking for a reasonable accommodation may give you some protection against eviction.

A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, practices, or services needed to give a person with a disability an equal chance to live in a dwelling. Both state and federal laws require a reasonable accommodation if one is needed.

In evictions, even if a tenant without a disability could be evicted, a landlord cannot necessarily evict a tenant with a disability because of behavior related to the tenant’s disability. If a landlord can reasonably alter its policies and rules so that a tenant with a disability can stay in the housing, the landlord must make the accommodation (unless it has a defense described in the “Are there exceptions to the accommodation requirement, or defenses the landlord might have?” question below).

Yes, it might.

Yes, that is possible, too.

There is no complete list anywhere. In the housing context generally, accommodations might include selecting a different location for mail delivery that more is accessible to a tenant in a wheelchair (but still acceptable to the Postal Service) or not requiring the previous rental history for an applicant who is coming out of an institution.

In an eviction situation, some common accommodation requests include allowing a service or support animal or giving the tenant time to get assistance, medical or psychological treatment, or medications so that the tenant can change behavior.

Probably not. From the cases [Disability Rights Texas has] seen, it appears unlikely that courts will require landlords to waive any portion of late rent payments or even accept some payment plan to allow tenants with disabilities to stay despite missed rent payments.

The first step is to ask for the reasonable accommodation. This does not have to be in writing, but it is better to put it in writing (and keep a copy for your records). It should normally tell the landlord or property manager the nature of your disability and should ask for a reasonable accommodation or other assistance to stay in the housing. It is best if you give an example of an accommodation that you think is reasonable and that you think would work to fix the problems.

Sometimes. If your landlord asks for more information or a letter from your doctor, it is usually a good idea to cooperate. But you may want to talk to a lawyer to get the details about what the landlord can and cannot ask for.

To receive an accommodation, a tenant must be able to show the link between the tenant’s disability and the actions the landlord is complaining about. Courts are sometimes skeptical about this, so it is important to have good evidence. The tenant must also show that an accommodation will help the tenant comply with the lease.

It depends. Sometimes the courts say that landlords should not be allowed to insist on a specific accommodation if the tenant can propose a different accommodation that meets the tenant’s needs and allows the tenant to comply with lease provisions.

A tenant can challenge an eviction on the grounds of a landlord’s refusal to grant an accommodation in at least three ways: (1) by filing a lawsuit in court; (2) by filing an administrative complaint with HUD or a state enforcement agency; or (3) by raising the claim as a defense in an eviction action in court. However, because eviction cases move very fast, claims that the landlord failed to give a reasonable accommodation often are raised first as defenses in the eviction proceeding.

Not necessarily. In some cases, you can ask for an accommodation even if the eviction case has already been filed in court. Also, in some situations, the need for accommodation is so clear that the law does not require you to say any “magic words.”

Yes. A landlord does not have to provide a particular accommodation if the cost would be an “undue burden” or if the accommodation would cause a “fundamental alteration” to the landlord’s business or services. Those things depend on the specific facts.

Also, if the lease violation is related to current illegal drug use, a landlord will not be required to keep a tenant.

Finally, the laws generally allow a landlord to evict a tenant if their staying would (a) be a “direct threat” to the health or safety of others or (b) result in substantial physical damage to the property of others. Even in those cases, however, some courts require the landlord to show that no reasonable accommodation would have eliminated o reduced the risks. For example, in one case, a tenant with a mental disability and a hearing impairment said that his behavior was caused by the disabilities and could be easily controlled and accommodated. The court made the public housing authority stop the eviction and allow an opportunity for accommodation before proceeding with the eviction.

That depends. The landlord’s obligation is a continuing one, so the landlord may have to try more than one thing. But at some point, the courts may not require anything else from the landlord and may let the eviction go through.

Most public and private landlords are covered by the various federal and state laws requiring reasonable accommodations. There are only a few exceptions, which a lawyer can help you understand.

For more information, see Disability Rights Texas's overview of housing.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law offers resources and information on Community Integration for People with Disabilities.

You may want to contact your local fair housing agency or legal aid organization about whether they can help or whether they can refer you to others who might be able to help you. In Texas, calling the statewide 211 referral number would be a good place to start.

Also, see TexasLawHelp's Legal Help Directory.

One way to ask for a reasonable accommodation is to send your landlord a letter. Disability Rights Texas has built a tool to help you Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Request Letter. Disability Rights Texas also provides a guided form to Request Early Lease Termination as a reasonable accommodation.

Be sure to keep copies of any letters you send to your landlord.