What must an owner of a newly constructed apartment building with an elevator do under the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988?

Under the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988, owners of newly constructed multifamily dwellings, such as apartment buildings with elevators, are required to ensure that certain aspects of the buildings are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes making sure that features like thermostats are reachable from a wheelchair, which directly addresses the needs of residents who may have mobility impairments.

This requirement is part of the broader goal of the Fair Housing Act to eliminate barriers to housing for individuals with disabilities and to ensure that they can fully enjoy their living environments. While making hallways and doorways wider is also important for accessibility, the specific focus of the Fair Housing Amendment is on ensuring that essential fixtures within living spaces are usable by individuals with mobility challenges.

The other options, while they touch on important aspects of accessibility and residents' rights, do not directly relate to the specific requirements mandated by the Fair Housing Amendment for newly constructed buildings. For example, adapting kitchens for wheelchair accessibility is certainly beneficial, but the act primarily focuses on the accessibility of common elements and individual unit features that directly impact daily living, such as thermostats. Additionally, policies regarding pets may fall under different regulations and not specifically pertain to the construction and accessibility requirements outlined in the Fair Housing Amendment.