Emotional support animals

[Shawn Kenyon]

Well it's happened.  people are applying to rent our units with their emotional support pitbulls and other animals . Of course we follow all fair housing laws . but what we need to do is weed out people that have legitimate need from people with fake doctor notes so they can get past our no pet policy.  landlords how are you dealing with this ? what documentation are requiring? 

[Joe Splitrock]

Originally posted by @Mindy Jensen:

@Shawn Kenyon, @Joe Splitrock gave you some solid advice.

This has nothing to do with your feelings about animals. This is federal law. Do research on this law, because violating it can cost you HUGE.

Landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for people with special needs. Say you have a no animals policy. Well, lifting that policy to allow a service animal or emotional support animal is a reasonable accommodation.

Your insurance company doesn't allow Pit Bulls. Well, there are plenty of insurance companies that DO allow Pit Bulls, and as long as the insurance premium isn't significantly higher, this is also a reasonable accommodation.

You may only ask for proof of prescription if the need is not obvious. So if they say the animal is an Emotional Support Animal, you can ask for the doctor's note. If they have a Seeing Eye Dog because they are obviously blind, you can't ask for anything. 

You bring up a good point, that as part of a reasonable accommodation you are supposed to look for alternate insurance if a dog breed is prohibited. It will likely cost you more money. Regardless, me personally, I would never allow a dangerous breed in my property. I accept that it could put me at odds with Fair Housing, but I have heard too many stories of dangerous breeds killing children. I could not sleep at night if I allowed a Pit Bull in my property and it hurt someone. I am prepared to go to court to defend my position. I am not an idealist, but this is one area I feel strongly. All the money in the world isn't worth someone getting hurt or killed at one of my properties.