ACT Disability Access & Adjustments Help

Living with a disability can sometimes require specific adjustments to rental properties to ensure a safe and accessible living environment. If you're a renter in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), understanding your rights and the resources available to help with disability access and adjustments is crucial. From making modifications to your rental property to finding support services, this guide provides comprehensive information to assist you.

Understanding Your Rights in the ACT

The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 covers most rental agreements in the ACT, including provisions for renters with disabilities. This legislation ensures that all tenants have the right to live in an accommodation that meets their accessibility needs without facing discrimination.

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are modifications that can be made to a property to accommodate a tenant's disability. These could include installing ramps, widening doorways, or modifying fixtures. As a tenant, you may request these adjustments, and your landlord is obliged to consider them, provided they do not cause undue hardship or risk to the property value.

Where to Get Help in the ACT

Several organizations offer support and guidance to renters needing disability access adjustments. Here are some key resources:

• Legal Aid ACT: Provides free legal advice and representation on tenancy issues, including disability discrimination. Visit their website at Legal Aid ACT.
• Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA): DANA supports people with disabilities by providing advocacy services tailored to individual needs. More information at DANA.
• ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT): If disputes arise about possible discrimination or required modifications, you can apply to ACAT for a resolution. Learn more at ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

How to Request Adjustments

When requesting adjustments, communicate openly with your landlord. It is a good idea to provide supporting documentation about the necessity of the adjustments.

1. Document Your Needs: Gather relevant information and documentation from healthcare providers to support your request.
2. Make a Formal Request: Write to your landlord, explaining the specific changes needed and why they are necessary for your living situation.
3. Negotiate: Be prepared to discuss the costs involved and any compromises, such as restoring the property to its original condition when you leave.

Dispute Resolution

Should a dispute arise regarding your request for reasonable adjustments, the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal can mediate and resolve these issues. Remember, it is essential to keep a written record of all communications with your landlord regarding access modifications.

FAQ Section

1. What qualifies as a reasonable adjustment? Reasonable adjustments refer to changes made to a rental property that accommodate a tenant's disability without imposing undue hardship on the landlord.
2. Who pays for the adjustments? Costs for adjustments can be a point of negotiation between tenant and landlord, but support from various disability services might be available to cover part of these expenses.
3. Can a landlord refuse my adjustment request? A landlord cannot unreasonably refuse a request for necessary disability adjustments, but they can argue refusal if it imposes undue hardship or changes the property permanently.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• ACT Human Rights Commission
• ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service
• ACAT - ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal

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1. Residential Tenancies Act 1997

2. ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal

3. Legal Aid ACT

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