Accessible rentals are more well-liked now than ever before. Notwithstanding that it may appear to be such a worry and hassle to set up upgrades to your property to accommodate people with limited mobility, the real truth is you can widen your potential tenant pool and give your rental home a competitive edge. By making your property more accessible, you draw in the elderly and tenants who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and more.
Elgin property managers are aware that federal law states you can’t discriminate against people based on their accessibility requirements. You could wait around until your tenant approaches you with an accommodation request. Or, the right (and more profitable) option can be to keep accessibility in mind as you update your property and use alternatives that will attract disabled or elderly renters. Here are quite a few trouble-free ideas to develop and make your property more accessible to those with mobility challenges.
1. Floors
Carpeting can be a problem for people who use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers, but so can slippery hard flooring. Hence, at the appropriate time to replace the flooring in your rental home, pick a sturdy, low-pile carpet. A low-pile carpet bestows perfect traction and won’t snag on the ends of canes and walkers. The right flooring can make your rental hastily more appealing to a wider range of tenants.
2. Entryway
One of the most serious obstacles that people with mobility challenges face is a doorway that is too narrow. As you get your next set of property improvements, consider replacing your entry door and possibly the interior doors with wider, more wheelchair-friendly versions. Also, lever door knobs are perfect for people with limited mobility than round knobs. It’s an uncomplicated project, though really one that will make a big difference to a disabled tenant.
3. Bathroom
The bathroom holds some burdens for disabled tenants. But, take note, you can simply make your bathrooms more accessible by upgrading your shower or tub and your toilet. For example, the standard tub is too high for people with limited mobility to step over. If you’re prepared to renovate, take into account opting for a walk-in tub or a shower with a lower threshold. Having said that, toilets tend to be too low to the ground for many disabled people. When the right moment comes to replace your toilet, opt for one that is a bit taller. Both of these modifications can help make your rental much more accessible to all.
4. Kitchen
The kitchen is another area where challenges abound for people with limited mobility. For instance, most standard appliances, and countertops are too tall for people in wheelchairs to reach easily. If you’re remodeling your rental kitchen anyway, think of having ADA-height appliances and counter space. With a bit of simple creativity and planning, you can have your rental property’s kitchen one of the most accessible parts of the house.
5. Bedroom
Some other burdensome aspects of the home design that are just straightforward to reform are closet rods and light switches. Both are, in many cases, too high for people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility to reach easily. By installing closet rods closer to the floor and lowering the light switches, you can, most importantly, improve the quality of life for your tenants.
Would you want more practical information with respect to how to make your rental appeal to quality tenants? Real Property Management Northwest Chicago Suburbs can surely help! Contact us online today to learn more about all the great services we offer property owners and landlords.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
