MVAH Partners is an Ohio-based developer and builder of apartments. The company was founded in 2018 as a spin-off of Miller-Valentine Group, a larger real estate development firm. MVAH Partners has developed and built apartments in several states across the country.
In 2019, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against MVAH Partners, alleging that the company had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at 82 of its apartment complexes. The lawsuit alleged that the apartments were not accessible to people with disabilities, with features such as narrow doorways, inaccessible kitchens and bathrooms, and poorly designed parking lots.
The lawsuit was settled in 2021, with MVAH Partners agreeing to pay $475,000 and to make modifications to its apartments to make them ADA compliant. The settlement also required MVAH Partners to adopt new policies and procedures to ensure that its apartments are accessible to people with disabilities.
References:
- US Department of Justice v. MVAH Partners, LLC: https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pennsylvania-ag-sues-mv-realty-blindsiding-homeowners-with-40-year-liens/TX3LRKQG2FHBDLFY3T42PIFJSI/
- Miller-Valentine agrees to pay $475K in housing discrimination lawsuit: https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/08/30/brokerages-cough-up-115k-to-settle-newsday-discrimination-claims/
- Two local apartment complexes sued for handicapped accessibility: https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/updated-two-local-apartment-complexes-sued-for-handicapped-accessibility/article_235e8090-75a8-11e9-8a8b-6b5a0484feaf.html
What does the MVAH Partners lawsuit mean for people with disabilities?
The MVAH Partners lawsuit is a victory for people with disabilities. It sends a message to other developers and builders that they must comply with the ADA and make their apartments accessible to people with disabilities. The lawsuit also provides a roadmap for how to enforce the ADA against developers and builders who violate the law.
What can people with disabilities do if they believe their apartment is not ADA compliant?
If you believe that your apartment is not ADA compliant, you can take the following steps:
- Contact your landlord or property manager and ask them to make the necessary modifications.
- If your landlord or property manager refuses to make the necessary modifications, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- You can also file a lawsuit against your landlord or property manager in federal court.
FAQs:
Q: What is the ADA?
A: The ADA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, housing, transportation, and government services.
Q: What does it mean for an apartment to be ADA compliant?
A: An ADA compliant apartment is one that is accessible to people with disabilities. This means that the apartment must have features such as wide doorways, accessible kitchens and bathrooms, and ramps or elevators.
Q: What can I do if my landlord or property manager refuses to make the necessary modifications to my apartment to make it ADA compliant?
A: You can file a complaint with HUD or you can file a lawsuit in federal court.
Q: What are the benefits of living in an ADA compliant apartment?
A: ADA compliant apartments allow people with disabilities to live independently and to participate fully in their communities.
Q: Who should I contact if I have more questions about the MVAH Partners lawsuit or the ADA?
A: You can contact the US Department of Justice’s Disability Rights Section at (202) 514-0301 or (202) 514-0383 (TTY). You can also contact HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).
Conclusion
The MVAH Partners lawsuit is a significant victory for people with disabilities. It sends a message to other developers and builders that they must comply with the ADA and make their apartments accessible to people with disabilities. If you believe that your apartment is not ADA compliant, you should contact your landlord or property manager and ask them to make the necessary modifications. If your landlord or property manager refuses to make the necessary modifications, you can file a complaint with HUD or you can file a lawsuit in federal court.
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