Landlord ESA question

[Anthony Park]

Hello my name is Anthony I currently manage my property in Magna Utah. One of my current tenants that signed a few months back into our lease agreement informed he would be acquiring an Emotional Support Animal. I manage the property as no pets and the lease was signed agreeing so. I don’t want to create any legal issues as ESA and Service dogs cannot be denied in Utah by my understanding. My question is what can I request as proof and how can I verify without violating laws? Also the tenant provided a card saying the dog is an ESA however no additional paperwork was included or any individuals name tying to the ESA card. Another local property informed me these cards can be purchased on the internet and are not legit. Thanks Anthony

[Michele Fischer]

Smile, tell him that you love to accomodate ESA's, and tell them your process is to get this form filled out.  This issue is largely unchartered territory, there has not been a lot of litigation yet.  Try to not be the next legal case, but be firm that the animal is not approved until this form is filled out completely and correctly.  Force them to jump through the hoops and force them to declare themselves disabled, and to get a doctor to vouch for it.  This country has gone crazy with pets, and so many applicants and tenants are looking for an easy way to avoid the pet rent and deposit.  Landlords take on extra cost and risk by accepting pets, we should be compensated unless the animal is truly trained to perform a task.

FORM TO REQUEST AN ASSISTANCE ANIMAL

We are committed to granting reasonable accommodations when necessary to afford persons with disabilities the equal opportunity to use and enjoy our rental properties.

Under the Fair Housing Act, a person with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Reasonable accommodation may include waiving or varying pet polices and fees to allow an Assistance Animal. An Assistance Animal is an animal that does work or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support or other assistance that alleviates one or more symptom or effects of a person’s disability.

Please complete this form completely and return it to us. All information will be kept confidential, except as otherwise required by law.

Today’s Date: _______________________

Name of person with disability requesting accommodation: _____________________________

What is the species of animal? __________________________

Provide the name and physical description (size, color, weight, license) of the animal:

_______________________________________________________________________________

Does the animal perform work or do tasks because of the disability? _____________

If Yes, please provide a statement from a health or social service professional indicating that you have a disability and explaining how the animal is able to do work or perform tasks that alleviate one or more symptoms or effects of your disability.

If No, please provide a statement from a health or social service professional indicating that you have a disability and how the animal alleviates the symptoms or effects.

Please attach statement with any additional information and contract information for the professional completing the statement.

_______________________________________ _______________________

Signature of Person Making Request Date

_______________________________________ _______________________

Signature of Person with Disability Date