Illinois Leasing Agent Practice Exam

If a tenant requires alterations due to a disability, what is true regarding the building lease restrictions?

1. The tenant must seek landlord approval

2. The tenant is entitled to make necessary alterations

3. The tenant must comply with all lease terms

4. The lease cannot be modified

The correct answer is: The tenant is entitled to make necessary alterations

In the context of housing and disability rights, a tenant who requires alterations to their living space to accommodate a disability has specific protections under the Fair Housing Act and similar regulations. The correct choice reflects that tenants are entitled to make necessary alterations to their unit or common areas if they are needed for accessibility. This entitlement means that if a tenant's disability requires modifications—like installing grab bars or widening doorways—they have the legal right to make such changes, regardless of general lease restrictions. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold permission for these modifications when they are necessary for the tenant's health and well-being. While it might be common practice for tenants to seek landlord approval for alterations, it is not a requirement that overrides the tenant's rights under disability laws. Compliance with all lease terms may be expected in many situations, but when it comes to necessary alterations for disabilities, the law prioritizes the needs of individuals over standard lease restrictions. Therefore, the assertion that the lease cannot be modified is also misleading in this context, as necessary alterations for accessibility can and should be accommodated under federal and state law.