Question 78

A person who is blind and uses a seeing-eye dog must be allowed to rent in a building that does not allow pets.

This example illustrates the protections afforded by fair housing laws, specifically regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities to have assistance animals, regardless of general pet policies.

A) An addict using an illegal drug must be allowed to rent.

This option is incorrect because fair housing laws do not protect individuals who are currently engaged in illegal drug use. While individuals recovering from addiction may be protected under these laws, those actively using illegal substances do not qualify for such protections.

B) A person with a mental disability, regardless of the degree of disability, must be allowed to rent.

While individuals with mental disabilities are protected under fair housing laws, this statement lacks specificity about necessary accommodations. The law requires reasonable accommodations but does not mandate that a person with a mental disability must be allowed to rent without consideration of their behavior or ability to meet rental criteria.

C) A person who is blind and uses a seeing-eye dog must be allowed to rent in a building that does not allow pets.

This option accurately reflects the protections of fair housing laws, which allow individuals with disabilities to have assistance animals, such as seeing-eye dogs, regardless of pet restrictions in housing policies. This is a clear example of how these laws safeguard the rights of those with disabilities.

D) A lessor must make modifications to a rental unit to allow any person with a physical disability to rent.

While fair housing laws do require reasonable modifications for individuals with disabilities, this statement is misleading. A lessor is only required to make modifications if they are reasonable and requested by the individual, not for "any person" with a disability without consideration of the specific circumstances.

Conclusion

Option C is the best example of the protection offered by fair housing laws to individuals with disabilities, as it specifically addresses the rights of a person requiring an assistance animal in a restrictive pet policy environment. The other options either misrepresent the scope of the law or do not adequately demonstrate the protections guaranteed to individuals with disabilities.