Who pays for a ramp installation requested by a tenant in a wheelchair?

The owner is responsible for the payment of a ramp installation requested by a tenant in a wheelchair because it relates to the landlord's duty to accommodate tenants with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act and similar state laws. Property owners are obligated to ensure that their rental properties are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This requirement includes making modifications that enable tenants to live comfortably and safely in their homes, such as installing ramps.

In this context, while the tenant may suggest or request the installation of a ramp, the responsibility typically falls on the owner to absorb the costs associated with making these necessary accessibility modifications. The laws surrounding fair housing are designed to minimize potential discriminatory practices, ensuring that all tenants have equal access to housing amenities. Thus, owners must accommodate reasonable requests for accessibility improvements like ramps, irrespective of the cost involved.