The world we live in is not made in a way
that is entirely inclusive for
those who live with a disability. Because of
this, people with disabilities have to
approach everyday activities in ways
different from those who do not have a
disability. For instance, when searching for
a new home, seniors with disabilities have
to take into account their accessibility
needs. Although manyseniors choose to stay
in their current home or purchase a new one
in their golden years, many others choose to
rent. After all, there are many
benefits to
renting in your later years: your landlord
will make repairs to broken fixtures or
structural issues, you can leave at the end
of your lease if the property doesn’t suit
your needs, or maybe you don’t have the
funds to purchase a home in your desired
area.
While the Americans with Disabilities Act
requires public buildings to be designed in
a way that is more
accessible,
the burden of modifying a private residence
to suit mobility needs is placed on the
homeowner. The good news is that if you’re
renting, your landlord must be willing to
make reasonable accommodations to the
property for you, because without these
modifications, seniors with disabilities are
more susceptible to serious injuries and
day-to-day life is impeded.Thus, a senior
with a disability can either find an
existing house to rent that suits their
mobility requirements or work with the
property owner to modify a home to suit
them.
Home Accessibility Features to Seek
● Wide hallways
● Wheelchair ramps
● Pocket
doors
● Offset hinges
● Glass doors
● Zero-step entrances
● Handrails and grab bars
● Roll-in shower
● Lever door handles (instead of knobs)
● Lower countertops
● Non-slip flooring
● Stair lifts
● Lighted paths
● Remote controlled lighting
● Designated parking
Finding a Home that Suits Your Needs
If you want to find a home that suits your
mobility and accessibility needs, make a
list of
preferences and priorities that you can
refer to as you hunt for a rental property.
It’s quite
possible you won’t find a place that has
everything you need, but the more specific
you are
about the features you are looking for, the
easier it will be for a real estate agent to
narrow down potential properties that are
worth your time.
Furthermore, look for an agent whose niche
is helping people with disabilities find
accessible
homes. Agents who work primarily with senior
citizens often have to look for the same
types of features, so an agent with that
experience may work as well.
Home Modifications for Accessibility and
Mobility
As mentioned above, it’s rare for a person
to find a house that has every accessibility
feature
they may need, especially when they’re
renting. There is a good chance you and your
landlord will have to make some
modifications to the home for optimal
living. If you are lucky, the only
renovations you will need to make are
inexpensive and quick, like installing
grab bars or
upgrading the carbon
monoxide detectors.
However, if you have to make more expensive
modifications, there are resources that
can help your landlord pay
for them.
There are grants and federal funds
specifically for people with disabilities
who need to renovate their homes, but there
is also non-monetary support through
retailers that can provide essential
materials for your renovations. If you find
a home you’re excited about and hope to live
in long term, talk to the property owner
about these options for funding the
modifications you need.
The Little Things
Once you settle on a home, you’ll have a
laundry list of to-do items that need to be
addressed
before you ever step foot in your new rental
property. This includes seeking out
reputable
movers (even better if you can find a
company with experience
moving seniors),
getting help
with packing and packing supplies, measuring
rooms for furniture placement, having the
house cleaned, and addressing any pressing
modifications that are must-haves before you
transition. Keeping these tasks at the
forefront of your mind can make the entire
process a bit smoother, as moving can be an overwhelming undertaking
for anyone.
Finding an accessible rental property can
feel like the proverbial needle in a
haystack. However, with the right real
estate agent and an open mind, it is
possible to find the right home. And even if
it's not perfect, with the right bones, you
may be able to work with your landlord to
turn it into the accessible home of your
dreams.
For all of your home buying and selling
needs in New Jersey, contact Realtor
Emil Ratti of
Coldwell Banker.
