What certifications regarding disability compliance must a licensee submit to IHG before opening an Even Hotels location?
Even_Hotels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
he staffing and training of such staff necessary to operate the Hotel in accordance with IHG's requirements;
- (b) no accounts of Licensee are past due to IHG or any of its Affiliates;
- (c) Licensee is in full compliance with all of the terms of this License;
- (d) Licensee has submitted to IHG all certificates of insurance (and copies of insurance policies if requested by IHG) as required under the License;
- (e) Licensee has obtained all necessary governmental approvals, licenses and permits to possess, occupy and operate all areas of the Hotel, according to IHG's requirements, including specifically without limitation, a permanent certificate of occupancy; and
- (f) Licensee has submitted to IHG a post–construction disability compliance certification signed by Licensee and an architect with professional experience applying the requirements of the ADA and the ADA Standards, in the form of Attachment "C" – ADA Certificate. Such certification must confirm the qualifications of the architect, the architect has inspected the as-built conditions of the Hotel and building site and that the Hotel and building site have been built in compliance with Title III of the ADA and any other applicable accessibility laws, ordinances or requirements;
- (g) Licensee has either (i) delivered a certification that verifies the Hotel complies with IHG's fire protection and life safety Standards and the fire protection and life safety systems of the Hotel are operational, or (ii) retained IHG and paid IHG the then-current testing and inspection fee to test and inspect the fire protection and life safety systems of the Hotel, and such testing and inspection verifies the Hotel complies with IHG's fire protection and life safety Standards and the fire protection and life safety systems of the Hotel are operational.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 99–438)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, before opening a newly constructed hotel, a licensee must submit two disability compliance certifications to IHG. The first is a pre-construction certification of the final plans for the building and building site. This certification must be completed by an architect with professional experience applying the requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and the ADA Standards. This pre-construction certification must be submitted before construction begins.
The second certification is a post-construction certification. This must be submitted after an inspection of the as-built conditions and signed by the licensee. This confirms that the hotel and building site have been built in compliance with Title III of the ADA and any other applicable accessibility laws, ordinances, or requirements. The architect signing the post-construction disability compliance certification must have professional experience applying the requirements of the ADA and the ADA Standards.
For renovations required for relicensing, conversions, brand changes, or changes of ownership, Even Hotels requires a post-renovation certification submitted after an inspection of as-built conditions signed by the licensee. Similarly, for voluntary renovations, a post-renovation certification is required, also submitted after an inspection of as-built conditions and signed by the licensee. These certifications ensure that Even Hotels locations meet accessibility standards and comply with the ADA, promoting inclusivity for all guests.