Emotional Support Animals

[Patrick C.]

Hi Everyone! 

I have a rental house in the state of Pennsylvania. Current tenant presented a letter and certificate to have a emotional support animal. 

My lease agreement has a no pet policy. She knew that and now I am getting ambushed after she took it upon herself to travel all over the state to get this letter/certificate from a licensed medical professional  .

I need to know if someone has ever experienced a similar situation? If so, yes or no answer to tenant? Could I charge for additional security deposit? Monthly fee?

Thank you in advance! 

[Filipe Pereira]

Unfortunately you don't get the option to say yes or no to the tenant @Patrick C. 

You cannot charge an additional security deposit or monthly fee for service animals or emotional support animals. You can, however, require that the tenant maintain the place and pick up after the animal. The animal should also not cause a disturbance for other tenants in the building.

There is a landlord here in Connecticut that I know has only month-to-month leases, and in part it's for reasons like this one. Tenants think they can secure a lease, and move in then change the rules, essentially. By only having month-to-month leases, he can simply not renew in 30 days as opposed to having to let the lease run its course. Pretty clever.