There’s a lot to navigate when seeking to purchase commercial real estate. While you’ll certainly want to take zoning, location, market access, repairs and maintenance into account, you also have to consider how the property complies with applicable state and federal laws. One of the most important amongst them is the Americans with Disabilities Act. If your property is found to be in violation of this federal law, then you could wind up subjected to a complaint that could be costly to your finances and your reputation.
What do you need to do to ensure ADA compliance?
In its most basic terms, ADA compliance requires that your commercial property, assuming that it is open to the public, is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This means that you may need to ensure that your property has wheelchair ramps, working elevators and braille signs. You’ll also need to check other areas of the property to ensure that they’re accessible and usable to those with disabilities, too, such as bathrooms.
Are there exemptions to ADA accommodations?
Yes, in some instances. As alluded above, property that isn’t open to the public may not have to comply with the ADA. But you might also be exempt from the ADA’s requirements if compliance would require significant structural changes. If your building pre-dates the ADA, then you may only need to make changes that are “readily achievable.” These qualifiers give you a little bit to work with to ensure that you’re abiding by the law while still protecting your finances.
Competently navigate your commercial real estate issues
ADA compliance is just one of the many issues that you might have to confront once you purchase commercial real estate. If you’re looking for peace of mind as you navigate the purchasing process or while dealing with conflict over commercial property, then you may want to seek guidance and advocacy from an attorney you can trust.