Practice and Disclosures, 25% of the examination
Reasonable modification
A physical change to premises that a landlord must permit for a person with a disability, normally at the tenant's expense.
A modification changes the property, such as installing a grab rail or ramp. In ordinary private housing the tenant usually pays, while different payment rules can apply to federally assisted housing and structural-access obligations. A housing provider may sometimes require a reasonable restoration agreement for an interior modification. A reasonable accommodation changes a rule, policy, practice, or service, such as waiving a no-pets policy for an assistance animal, and the provider cannot charge the tenant for granting it.
What this is confused with
The exam rarely asks for a definition. It describes a situation and offers two terms that both sound plausible.
Reasonable accommodation
An accommodation changes a rule. A modification changes the building.
Test the distinction
A relevant question from Practice and Disclosures, selected because its facts or explanation use this concept.
A tenant with a disability asks to install a grab rail in the bathroom at their own expense. The landlord objects. What applies?
Written to DRE's published topic list. Not a real examination question, since reproducing those is a misdemeanor under B&P Code section 123.
Primary sources
Use these authorities when a course summary, forum answer, or older flashcard conflicts with the current California rule.