Having someone act on your behalf
Answers
Yes, and for a lot of people it is the difference between making the request and not.
Someone else can make the request
A request may be made by somebody on your behalf: a family member, a friend, a case manager, a social worker or an advocate. A provider cannot insist that it come directly from you, and for somebody whose disability makes the conversation itself difficult, that is not a technicality.
Who can help
- Legal aid, free where you qualify, and most areas prioritise housing.
- Fair housing organisations, which will often contact a provider directly and are known to them.
- Protection and advocacy agencies, which exist in every state for people with disabilities.
- A case manager or social worker where you already have one. Providers frequently respond differently to them.
- A tenants union, which is not legal advice and is often the fastest practical help.
What a provider may reasonably ask
For confirmation that the person is authorised to act for you. A short written note from you is enough, and there is no need for anything formal unless a guardianship is in place.
Where a disability makes phone calls or confrontation difficult, say so and ask for correspondence in writing. That is itself a reasonable accommodation, and it is one of the least burdensome a provider can grant.
Common questions
- Can my therapist deal with the landlord?
- They can confirm they issued the documentation. Negotiating with your landlord is outside what most clinicians will do, and they should not be discussing your condition.