Strange condo question

[Dznypal]

We live in an 8 unit condo area. There basically in a straight line with private entrances.
DH said since we don’t have any steps leading to the front door ours must be a handicap unit. In our building most have one step leading to the front door one unit has 2 and next door to us also has no step. Some of the other buildings have like 4 steps then a very short walkway then one or 2 leading to the front door.
Hubby insists ours was originally built as a handicap unit. I say condos don’t have to have handicap units.
Anyplace public do such as hotels buses but condos are privately owned.
Also the complex has a outdoor pool that does not have one of those seats that can lower people into the pool and there’s about 4 steps to get into the pool.
Also the inside of the condos are 2 stories with bedrooms and bath upstairs also bath on main floor.
Theres also 3 steps in the garage.
So it’s definitely not a true handicap buildings

So basically just wondering if condos have to be built like hotels and such
Just curious who’s right

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We live in an 8 unit condo area. There basically in a straight line with private entrances.
DH said since we don’t have any steps leading to the front door ours must be a handicap unit. In our building most have one step leading to the front door one unit has 2 and next door to us also has no step. Some of the other buildings have like 4 steps then a very short walkway then one or 2 leading to the front door.
Hubby insists ours was originally built as a handicap unit. I say condos don’t have to have handicap units.
Anyplace public do such as hotels buses but condos are privately owned.
Also the complex has a outdoor pool that does not have one of those seats that can lower people into the pool and there’s about 4 steps to get into the pool.
Also the inside of the condos are 2 stories with bedrooms and bath upstairs also bath on main floor.
Theres also 3 steps in the garage.
So it’s definitely not a true handicap buildings

So basically just wondering if condos have to be built like hotels and such
Just curious who’s right

Sounds more like the ground isn't level and the step/no step just evens up the foundations between all the units. I don't believe private homes (condos, or otherwise) are required to have accessible options.

 

[Dznypal]

thanks that was my thinking but hubby insisted that ours was build as a handcapped unit
and when hes right hes right LOL

 

[tvguy]

Not sure how a condo with the bedrooms on the second floor could be ADA accessible unless it was built with a chair lift on the stairs.

 

[longboard55]

private residences do not need to conform to handicap laws. If they built one that way it was for sales

 

[Dznypal]

Thanks all. That was my thinking. He did mention the chair lift so that right there makes it non handicap
And there the 3 steps to the garage
Also the units all have a private basements aling with the garage

 

[HopperFan]

Our unit does not have any steps. I would say about 20% of the "first floor" units have a step or two leading to front door. And some of those are townhomes so steps inside. Our community (from 1980's) has no designated handicapped units, you buy what you need. And we have no handicap parking spots but there are random ramps to the sidewalk. Our neighbor recently wanted a ramp built in her spot, the community followed their legal requirements and just moved her spot next to one of the existing ramps. So while she was trying to challenge them with "her rights" they found that they didn't have to do anything special for her since a ramp exists.

 

[lanejudy]

thanks that was my thinking but hubby insisted that ours was build as a handcapped unit
and when hes right hes right LOL

If your unit were truly built as accessible, it would have wider doorways, lower kitchen/bathroom counters, open space underneath sinks, a first floor bedroom or access to the upstairs, etc. Having an outdoor step or not does not make a unit handicapped accessible. It sounds more like a grade issue.

 

[disykat]

I agree probably not really built to accessible standards, but any smart builder would want units with no stairs. We live in a ranch and when it comes time to sell it will go FAST because many people anticipate times in their future when stairs might not be a good thing. Homes without stairs are highly desired.

 

[HopperFan]

I agree probably not really built to accessible standards, but any smart builder would want units with no stairs. We live in a ranch and when it comes time to sell it will go FAST because many people anticipate times in their future when stairs might not be a good thing. Homes without stairs are highly desired.

YUP. In our community the units on the first floor that are flats sell very quickly!!

Our complex is varied with lots of floorplans and each "building" cluster may have different variety. We are a townhome with no one above us, master & laundry on first floor so great if/when stairs become an issue. We also have bedrooms/bath upstairs. Other townhomes have all beds & laundry upstairs. We bought for the future.

 

[disykat]

We are actually talking about trading homes with our really good friends for a few weeks, so they can be on a single level for a surgery recovery.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the design of most entrances relate to the contour of the ground. I agree as someone else said, many things about the interior would be configured a specific way if your unit was originally built for someone who was handicapped. If it makes your husband happy, tell him he is right and move on. Not really worth arguing over it.