law

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public services, and places of public accommodation. In real estate it mainly affects commercial properties and public areas, such as offices, stores, and rental leasing offices, requiring removal of architectural barriers when readily achievable. Private residential housing is generally covered by the Fair Housing Act rather than the ADA.

Exam tip: ADA covers commercial and public accommodation spaces; the Fair Housing Act covers housing. A brokerage office open to the public must comply with the ADA.
Example: A retail landlord installs a ramp and widens a restroom door so that the store's public areas comply with the ADA.

1. In real estate, the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act apply mainly to:

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. The ADA's accessibility rules primarily cover public accommodations and commercial facilities; housing accessibility is governed mainly by the Fair Housing Act.

Related terms & state variants

Fair Housing Act protected class reasonable accommodation reasonable modification

Sources

Source verification pending. Confirm current requirements with your state regulator.

Last verified: 2026-10-23