In which situation can a landlord legally deny an accommodation request?

A landlord can legally deny an accommodation request if it imposes an undue financial burden on them. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, but these accommodations must not create significant financial strain on the housing provider. If fulfilling a request would require substantial alterations to the property or result in a measurable economic hardship, the landlord may justifiably refuse the request.

This principle is rooted in balancing the rights of individuals who may need accommodations with the operational realities that a landlord faces, ensuring that housing providers are not put in an untenable financial position. It's a nuanced area where the specifics of the situation, including the costs associated with the accommodation and the landlord's financial condition, play a critical role in determining whether a denial is appropriate.

While denying a request purely based on the lease timing or a tenant's past violations does not align with the framework of reasonable accommodations, a request that burdens the landlord significantly can be considered grounds for denial. This respects both the needs of tenants and the capacities of landlords within the Fair Housing framework.