Emotional Support Animals

[Rich Acri]

Currently have a tenant who is always late on rent and now would like to get an emotional support dog, already allowed them two cats and knocked 50 off there rent because they couldn't afford it. Worried they cant afford a dog and I will never see my rent again.  Any help would be great no clue what to do here.

[Nathan Gesner]

You CANNOT reject an emotional support animal in ANY state. It's federal law, not state or local.

You've made mistakes. Stop making more and get rid of this tenant. Let them know you will not be renewing their lease because they clearly can't afford market rent. See if they are willing to leave early. They probably won't because they like living in a place where the Landlord lets them have pets and still drops the rent. 

If they reject the idea of leaving early, abide by the law and the lease until the lease ends. Be sure to send them a reminder 60 days in advance that you won't renew their lease. Do it in writing, keep it short and simple. Don't send mixed messages. Don't offer to keep them if they can afford the higher rent. Just don't communicate with them at all except in writing.

In the future, you should accept animals but they should be screened/approved and you should increase the rent for each pet. These two cats could bring in another $50 each. And if you were charging the renter the other $50 to stay at market rate, that would bring in another $1,800 a year.

If you're going to make money in this business, you need to take charge of your business and stop letting tenants whittle away at your profits.