Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated almost 7 years ago,

User Stats

13,324
Posts
3,945
Votes
Brandon Turner
Pro Member
#3 Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements Contributor
  • Investor
  • Maui, HI
3,945
Votes |
13,324
Posts

Pitbulls as service animals... I don't want to get sued!

Brandon Turner
Pro Member
#3 Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements Contributor
  • Investor
  • Maui, HI
Posted

Hey folks - so I have a property in a lower-income part of town and almost every tenant who applies has a pitbull. (The animal, not the singer!) 

Anyway - tenants today know the game. They just need to say "it's a service animal" and get a letter from a doctor and I can't turn them down. So they do.  This is a game they all play and it's always annoyed me but there's not much I can do except find other reasons to disqualify them (or just allow the animal.) 

But here's an interesting twist:  the insurance company directly told us that under no circumstance will they cover a pitbull biting someone. Pitbulls are not allowed (which I always assumed.) 

So- it would be illegal for me to tell the tenant I can't rent to them because of the pitbull... but insurance won't cover me if they do have one.

Anyone have any ideas on what I should do? I guess just find another way to disqualify them... but if they are truly perfect tenants, I could get sued for disability discrimination. 

  • Brandon Turner
  • Podcast Guest on Show #92
  • Loading replies...