I'm still just gobsmacked about the whole landlord thing. I just. I'm so glad you're going to do something about all this, sj.

Have safe travels Miracleborns!

I'm waiting for my chiropractor to call me back. I did something awful to my neck. Or maybe my shoulder. I don't know where. All I do know is that I can hardly move my head without wanting to scream out in pain. It's fun!

sj, from here: [link]

HOUSING
See also ZONING Section, on page 46.

Federal Fair Housing Act
42 U.S.C. §§ 3535 & 3601-3620

The Act extends civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental or conditions of occupancy of a dwelling because of a person’s disability. Owner-occupied dwellings of four or fewer units are exempt from this requirement. It is also unlawful to refuse to allow a person with a disability to make reasonable modifications at his/her expense in order to fully use the premises. Tenants may be required to remove modifications and return the unit to the original condition upon moving. All new multi-family units, rental units and condominiums, in complexes of four or more units, available for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, have to be “adaptable.” Adaptable units include feature such as wide doorways, low outlets, reinforcements in walls for grab bars, useable bathrooms and kitchens) if there is an elevator in the building. If there is no elevator, only the ground floor units must be adaptable. All public and common areas have to be accessible.

Enforcement:
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
O’Neil Building, 10 Causeway Street, #321
Boston, MA 02222

(617) 994-8300 (Voice) (617) 565-5453 (TTY)

(800) 827-5005 (Voice) - Toll Free in Massachusetts

(800) 669-9777 (Voice) - Toll free in US

(617) 565-7313 FAX

Website: [link]

Massachusetts Housing Bill of Rights
G.L. c. 151B §4

This law has the same protection as the federal law, but only exempts owner-occupied, two-family units from coverage. It is illegal for a landlord to ask about a person’s disability, except to ask about qualifications for a special type of unit (“Do you have a condition that qualifies you for a wheelchair accessible unit?”). Only medical opinions which address qualifications for a particular unit may be sought (“Does Jane Doe have a condition that qualifies her for a unit for people with mental retardation?”). If there are 3 or more units, changes must be made to rules or policies if these changes are needed for a person with a disability to use or enjoy the premises. A person with a disability may make reasonable modifications to the premises at his/her own expense.

In publicly assisted housing, or housing with 10 or more units, the landlord is responsible for paying for reasonable modifications unless they would impose an undue hardship. The law also requires that new construction of housing with 3 or more units ready for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 be adaptable consistent with AAB regulations. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission administers a central registry to match accessible and adaptable housing units with persons who need them. Local Independent Living Centers can provide access to the Registry. Access the internet at: [link]

Enforcement:
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination:

1 Ashburton Pl. #601, Boston, MA 02108

(617) 994-6000 (Voice); (617) 994-6196 (TTY)

Or

436 Dwight St., #220; Springfield, MA 01103

(413) 739-2145.

Website: [link]

Thanks, Cindy. I'm going to call my lawyer anyway.

I would too, sj. It's not clear to me if they're exempt from not discriminating, or if they're just exempt from modifying units to make them accessible, and/or allowing their tenants to do so. Good luck. What she did was so wrong, not to mention ridiculous. Who knows better than you whether or not a place is going to be safe/usable for you? What an awful thing.

The exemption from having to modify units makes sense to me, because it puts a strong financial burden on the part of the property owner. The exemption for being an a prejudice asshole doesn't. Anyone can fall down stairs in ice in the winter. There is a sturdy railing in place, which means I am no more likely to be that person than anyone else.

sj, I'm sorry you had such acrazy-making experience yesterday.

I feel like I should know this, but can I ask what sort of disability you have? Not that it matters at all, but I'm just curious since we've been discussing its effects on your life.

I have Spina Bifida. I'm paralyzed below my knees, but I walk.

Thanks for clarifying...i guess it's not really my business, but I knew you had mentionend both mobility issues and walking.

Anyway, I hope you guys find a nice, friendly, cozy place soon. i hate moving so much.

no coffee in house this morning

Fix this before I come up again or I'll turn my car right around!

It's quiet time at the law school because exams have begun and professors don't come in because they don't want to be cornered by nervous law students. Ahhh, peace and quiet.

I skipped, but had to scroll back to see what happened to sj. Stunned with the stupid. I really just don't understand.

Good news in Lauraland. I had my blood tested because I have a kidney infection. Whatever, I'll get rid of that. But I got updated cholesterol numbers. Bad stuff down, good stuff up. In 4 months from 320 down to 271. LDL went from 226 to 196 and HDL went from 56.4 to 69.6. The number that seems odd to me is the Triglyceride which was 240 and is now 78. I must have had a cheesy breakfast or something. Not taking any drugs, just oatmeal, fishy pills and not eating cheese fries 4 times a day. Still have a ways to go, but doc says keep on doing what I'm doing. Yay red wine!