With the pending implementation of huge fines for rental properties that do not have facilities in place to accommodate the disabled, it’s feared that the disabled could be shut out of the rental market.
According to the recently passed Disabilities Act, rental premises are mandated to provide facilities to accommodate the disabled, with fines being imposed for non-compliance.
But Martin Henry, a prominent academic and public commentator fears this may have unintentional consequences. Henry, who was a guest on RJR’s That’s a Rap, argued that it may promote back-door deals being made which ultimately may cause discrimination.
“Already we have a very difficult rental market for non disabled persons. The more you load the system with requirements, it may have the opposition effect of making premises Of making premises not available, we are in a sort of non-legal kind of negotiation that could be made…. I’m pretty certain that the negative fallout will be the withdrawal of some premises in the market place,” Henry said.
In weighing in on the issue, Commentator Nadine Spence, who was also on “That’s a Rap,” said a mind-set change is needed, so that no one will not consider it a burden, to make modifications in order to accommodate the disabled.
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"Disabled could be shut out of rental market" - Communicaitons Specialist
