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Updated over 3 years ago on . Most recent reply
Getting asked about a companion dog for existing tenants
Received an e-mail this morning from my existing tenants. They have been there for 2 years and I allowed them 2 cats for which they had doctor notes for as companion animals.
The letter today had the following elements.
A tenant who has been there for over a year struggles with PTSD
A companion dog would be a help.
They would like a small breed dog like a Chihuahua
They say that have training for dogs and can train the dog to not bark or be destructive
They say that he does have a medical allowance to have a companion dog
Questions I have.
Am I legally obligated to let them have a dog?
Is a chihuahua really a companion dog?
Can a dog be trained not to bark or be destructive (I've had dogs, I love dogs, I think dogs are great, but I think saying that they can train a dog not to bark shows to me that they don't have much training experience with dogs)
Can I let them do this, but charge a monthly fee and make it worth it? I know this is a valid strategy that is discussed here.
This is a duplex and if the dog does bark, I'm sure I'll get complaints from the neighbors.
Thanks!!
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- Rock Star Extraordinaire
- Northeast, TN
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1. I guess the cats weren't working for the PTSD 🙄
2. Maybe.
3. Yes but some breeds are much more difficult than others. Chihuahuas are a very difficult breed.
4. An ESA you won't be able to charge for.
5. I would not renew their lease when it expired. They sound like animal hoarders and are better off buying their own property. We have a limit of 2 animals in any property.
- JD Martin
- Podcast Guest on Show #243
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