Tennessee Renters: Disability Parking Rights & How to Request

If you’re a renter with a disability in Tennessee, securing accessible parking near your home is an important right protected by law. Understanding how to request parking accommodations and what your landlord must do can help you maintain independence and ease daily life. This guide covers your rights, the laws involved, and the steps to request reasonable changes to parking at your rental in Tennessee.

Your Right to Accessible Parking in Tennessee Rentals

Both federal and state laws protect renters with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to housing and related amenities, like parking. “Reasonable accommodations” can include marking a reserved spot or creating an accessible space near your unit, even if the existing spaces aren’t designated as accessible.

• The federal Fair Housing Act requires landlords to allow reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. This includes parking requests.
• Tennessee’s fair housing protections align closely with these federal rules, making it illegal for landlords to refuse reasonable accommodation requests^[1].

Reasonable accommodation means changes to rules, policies, or services (like designating or modifying parking) that allow a disabled renter full enjoyment of their home.

Who Qualifies for Parking Accommodations?

You qualify if you have a disability that significantly impairs mobility or requires close access to your unit. Both visible and non-visible disabilities are covered.

• Mobility impairments (e.g., wheelchair users, walkers)
• Chronic conditions that substantially limit walking

How to Request a Parking Accommodation from Your Landlord

Under the law, you must ask in writing for any disability accommodation. Here are the practical steps:

• Draft a request letter describing your disability (you do not need to disclose the precise diagnosis), your need for accessible parking, and the specific accommodation requested (e.g., reserved spot, van-accessible space).
• Attach supporting documentation, such as a letter from a healthcare provider, if your disability is not obvious.
• Submit the request to your landlord or property manager. Keep a copy for your records.

The law protects you from retaliation or higher rent for making a legitimate request.

Official Tennessee Reasonable Accommodation Request Form

• Form Name: Reasonable Accommodation Request (no official state-issued number)
• When to use: When you need changes to your housing, including parking, due to a disability. For instance, if you use a wheelchair and current parking is far from your entrance, you can use this form to ask for a reserved, accessible parking spot.
• Where to find: Download a sample form from the Tennessee Human Rights Commission’s official guidance.

If Your Landlord Denies the Request

Landlords can only deny a reasonable accommodation if it would cause them an “undue financial or administrative burden” or fundamentally alter the property’s nature. Most parking requests are considered reasonable, especially if similar accommodations have been made for others.

If denied, you can:

• Ask for a written explanation of the denial
• Contact the Tennessee Human Rights Commission or HUD to file a complaint

The Tribunal Handling Tenant-Landlord Disputes in Tennessee

• The Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) oversees fair housing complaints, including accessibility issues.

What If There’s No On-Site Parking?

If parking is not provided at your rental property, the landlord isn’t required to create parking for you if it doesn’t already exist. However, if parking is available, reasonable changes must be allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a landlord charge me extra for an accessible parking space?
   No, landlords in Tennessee cannot require you to pay extra for a reasonable accommodation, including a designated accessible parking spot.
2. What if my disability is not visible?
   You can still request an accommodation. You may be asked for verification from a healthcare provider, but you are not required to disclose the exact diagnosis.
3. How long does my landlord have to respond?
   There is no exact timeframe, but responses should be prompt—often within 10–14 days. If delayed, contact the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.
4. Can a landlord deny my request for accessible parking?
   Only if the request is unreasonable or imposes significant hardship. Most parking requests are considered reasonable under state and federal law.
5. What if my landlord retaliates after I request an accommodation?
   It’s illegal for a landlord to retaliate. File a complaint promptly with the THRC or HUD.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Tennessee Human Rights Commission – Fair Housing: File a complaint or ask about disability accommodations
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Complaint Portal
• Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services: Support and information for individuals with disabilities
• For legal forms and guidance, visit the Tennessee Human Rights Commission’s Reasonable Accommodation page.

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1. Tennessee Fair Housing Act. Accessed 2024.
2. Understanding Reasonable Accommodations Under the Fair Housing Act (HUD). Accessed 2024.

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