Really...!?!... Is there such a thing as a "service hamster?"

[Douglas Larson]

Over the past 10 years I have leased a few dozen SFRs in several towns in Utah. I have also had rentals in Hawaii and California. I sometimes have one or two people mention a service dog but this spring I have 2 vacant properties and every other caller has a "service" or "therapy" animal . . . or three!!! 

All of these callers are quick to add that their "therapy cats" or guinea pigs or pit bulls have been "certified" by a vet or their physician. I understand the laws about discrimination against disabled people so I try to be absolutely fair about evaluating their applications compared to others. Still, if I clearly state that a property won't allow pets am I required to consider three "therapy cats" and a "documented emotional support pit bull" and maybe a seeing-eye hamster?

[Nathan Gesner]

That successful property manager is wrong. Completely wrong. Changing a word does not Trump anything and he's just asking for trouble.

Americans with Disabilities Act covers animals in public spaces. They must be certified and trained to perform specific tasks, like a dog trained to guide a blind person. 

Fair Housing regulates service animals in rentals. These animals do not have to be certified or trained for any particular task and are typically for emotional support only. Yet they cannot be discriminated against any more than a wheelchair or cane. You can't deny them, increase the deposit, or charge pet rent.

 Support animals can be any kind of animal, including pigs, miniature horses, and even four cats for a 45- year-old man (I've seen each of these). There are even web sites that "prescribe" the animal for a small fee, having never even met the individual. It is a major scam and I suspect we will see improved regulation in the next few years.

The way to protect yourself is to know the law better than the renter and exercise your right to verify. This scares 95% of them away immediately.