Checklist: Third Party Verifications
Fair Housing Definition of Disability
- Having impairments significantly impacting one or more major life activities, OR;
- Having a record of such impairment, OR;
- Being perceived as having such an impairment.
- Includes temporary disabilities (WA state).
Examples of Major Life Activities
- Walking, standing, climbing, balancing.
- Holding, gripping, turning, carrying, lifting Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching.
- Sleeping, eating, personal hygiene.
- Memory retention and emotional regulation.
Checklist for 3rd-Party Verifications
If a person's disability is not obvious, OR the request they are making is not obviously connected to their disability, a third-party verification may be requested. Use this checklist to determine if the verification meets fair housing law requirements.
If the answer is yes to all of the following, then the verification typically meets fair housing law's standards:
- The tenant/guest meets the definition of disability under the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disability Act, or provides a diagnosis that impairs one or major life activities?
- Tenants/guests are never required to disclose their diagnosis to their housing provider in order for their disability-related request to be approved.
- That the note-writer is a professional who knows of and/or has treated the person's disability?
- A description of the change in policy, procedure, rules, services or unit/common area structure being requested?
- That the requested change is necessary or required due to the person's disability?
- The verifier's contact information?
Times when housing providers may request additional information regarding a disability-related request:
- If the assistance animal being requested is not a typical pet (i.e., dog, cat, reptile, bird), providers may request clarification on why a typical pet would not meet the person's disability-related needs.
- If the note looks altered, housing providers may contact the note writer and ask if they provided the note as written.
- If the housing provider is providing housing for specific diagnoses, then they may inquire if the applicant/tenant meets their requirements.
Questions about Fair Housing laws? Contact the Fair Housing Center of Washington by email or call 253-274-9523 or click here to visit their website.
