Service Dogs at Apartment Complex with no pet policy in effect

[Ramon Pena Alvarado]

We have an apartment complex in Denver, Co. We established a NO pet policy many years ago and recently a tenant secured a Service dog because of a trauma she suffered. Im not against dogs but...other tenants are constantly questioning me as to why they can't have a dog since my traumatized tenant can. 

I understand Service Dogs are protected under Federal Law and I can be sued and probably lose if I demand she leave. 

My question is:

1. Has anyone dealt with this situation and how?

2. Can I charge her a non refundable pet deposit and what amount is fair?

3. She is now - month to month...Can I give her a 30 day vacate and not break any Federal laws??

Thank You...

[Nathan Gesner]

1. you can't discriminate against a legit service animal any more than you can a wheelchair or crutches. They are not pets in the eye of the law.

2. You cannot charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits. Period.

3. She knows you don't like the service animal. If you give her notice, she could rightly sue for discrimination based on her disability. Don't do it. If you have another legitimate reason to not renew, use it. Just don't use the animal.

Emotional support animals are a sham. I estimate over 90% are people that classify their pet so they can sneak it into places they normally couldn't. Service dogs cost up to $25,000 but emotional support animals could be any type of animal with zero training, which is typically the case. If they required emotional support animals to be trained and certified like any other service animal, you'd see the numbers drop to almost zero.