A request to change the premises — a ramp, grab bars, a lowered counter, a visual doorbell — is a reasonable modification, and Texas law defines the landlord’s duty: discrimination includes “a refusal to permit, at the expense of the person having a disability, a reasonable modification of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person if the modification may be necessary to afford the person full enjoyment of the premises” (Property Code §301.025(c)(1)). The tenant pays for the modification; the landlord permits it, may condition it on workmanlike quality and permits, and may in some cases require restoration of the interior at the end of the tenancy. A request to change a rule rather than the premises is an accommodation, handled under the accommodation workflow.
Handling a modification request
| Step | What to do | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Receive | Log the request; ask for a description of the work; invite it in writing without requiring it | Fair Housing Act; HUD/DOJ Joint Statement approach |
| Verify need | Only if the disability or the need is not apparent: reliable information of the disability-related need | Joint Statement, documentation section |
| Assess reasonableness | Is the modification necessary for full enjoyment? Does it affect structure, other units or code compliance? | §301.025(c)(1) |
| Set conditions | Reasonable assurances of workmanlike quality; building permits where the work requires them; a licensed contractor for electrical or plumbing | Lawful conditions |
| Restoration | For interior modifications the landlord may require restoration to the prior condition at the end of the tenancy where reasonable to do so, wear excepted; not for changes that do not interfere with the next occupant’s use | Federal regulations under the Act |
| Record | The approval, the conditions, the contractor’s licence and the completion photographs | Work-order file |
Cost
The requester pays for the modification and, where restoration is lawfully required, for the restoration. A landlord may not charge an additional deposit for the modification itself; where restoration will be required, the landlord may negotiate a reasonable escrow for the restoration cost paid over a reasonable period — but not as a condition that defeats the request. Modifications the landlord chooses to fund become part of the property and, for tax purposes, may be improvements (IRS).
Do not
- Refuse because the change is “ugly,” or require an unrelated upgrade in return.
- Require the tenant to use the landlord’s contractor unless the work affects shared systems and the requirement is reasonable.
- Demand restoration of exterior ramps or changes that leave the unit usable by the next tenant.
- Delay: an unanswered request is a refusal.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a disability modification in a Texas rental?
The person with the disability; the landlord must permit a reasonable modification necessary for full enjoyment of the premises and may set reasonable conditions such as workmanlike quality and permits (Property Code §301.025(c)(1)).
Can the landlord require the unit to be restored at move-out?
For interior modifications, restoration to the prior condition may be required where reasonable, reasonable wear excepted; changes that do not interfere with the next tenant’s use need not be undone.
Can the landlord refuse a ramp for appearance reasons?
No. Appearance is not a lawful ground; only reasonableness and necessity are assessed, and alternatives should be discussed (HUD/DOJ Joint Statement).
Sources
Rules change and the right answer can depend on the home, the city, the lease and the timing. These are the official pages this guide relies on; check them before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.
- Texas Property Code, Chapter 301 — Texas Fair Housing Act ↗
- HUD/DOJ Joint Statement — Reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act (May 17, 2004) ↗
- HUD — Fair Housing Act overview ↗
- IRS — Tangible property final regulations (de minimis, small taxpayer and routine maintenance safe harbors) ↗
- Texas State Law Library — Housing discrimination ↗
General information for U.S. landlords, with a Texas focus. This guide is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Consult a qualified professional for your situation. Written by the rentalfreelease.com Editorial Team; last reviewed September 19, 2026.