Emotional Support Animals:

[Andree Axinn]

My Landlord Insurance policy came out with a new list of dog breeds that are excluded from coverage. German Shepherd is now on this list. I have an existing tenant with an emotional support animal that is a German Shepherd.

We have had 2 bad hail storms in the past 18 mos where I had large claims on all my houses. Shopping for a new policy is not an option for me. Do I have grounds for non-renewal of lease or will I lose the fight since an emotional support animal is considered a medical necessity?

I guess bottom line, my question is if someone has an emotional support animal and the breed is a non-covered breed, am I still required to rent to them?

My property management company said the dog would be covered under the renters policy. That was laughable to me. Renters carry 15-25k policies and let them lapse constantly if nobody is watching. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[Bruce Woodruff]

An ESA is nowhere near the same as a Service Animal. This is from HUD: