Emotional Support Animal - Bogus "Documentation"? FHA, ADA, HUD

[Marie Machosky]

Hi all,

I'm new at this landlord gig and I have a bit of a dilemma. A tenant asked if they could adopt a pet; when I replied with the information regarding deposit and pet rent, I never heard back until I followed up today (3 weeks later), making sure they saw my email, and reminding them that having an unauthorized pet would be a violation of their lease agreement. They replied within an hour with a note from a "doctor" in Michigan (we're in Texas) stating they need the Emotional Support PET (not "Animal" - an important semantical difference). The note was not signed but does appear to be from an actual doctor (though again - halfway across the country). Do I have a leg to stand on here, or just let it go? Everything I've ready from the HUD says a landlord can request "reliable" documentation from the tenant. But what does "reliable" look like? Another internet source (not the HUD, just a website) mentioned the doctor should be from within the same state. Spidey senses say they're just trying to get out of paying their rent. I'm also very aware of what a disability discrimination claim could cost. And yes, I already know - I'm not going to ask them for details of their disability. What should I do?

Marie

[Matt Devincenzo]

Reach back out and let them know that all animals need to be screened by 'Petscreening.com'. They'll handle the document review and determining what's sufficient and what is not, and then you can just stay out of it. I accept pets and charge at the high end of market rent with no pet fees so this avoids there being an issue with an ESA etc since my rent is the same for everyone pets/ESA/Service animal it makes no difference to me.