Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Managing Your Property
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated 6 days ago, 11/23/2024

User Stats

12
Posts
2
Votes
Tessa Tsui
2
Votes |
12
Posts

ESG and Service Pets

Tessa Tsui
Posted

This is in Pennsylvania.  Can you share what kind of proof you will require tenants to provide when they claim their pets are service pets/ ESG, will there be any different proofs between Service Pets and ESG? 

thank you

User Stats

17,298
Posts
29,819
Votes
Russell Brazil
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
29,819
Votes |
17,298
Posts
Russell Brazil
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
ModeratorReplied

Im assuming you mean ESA, Emotional Support Animal. Under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, ESA's are a subset of service animal for the purposes of residential real estate. It is important to note the difference between FHA 1988, and the ADA, Americans with Disabilities act which governs Public Accommodations. Both laws use the same terms, but define them in completely different ways.

I find it best to reference HUD's guidance memos on the subject.

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/AsstAnimalsGui...

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/HUDAsstAnimalN...

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/FHEO/documents/19ServiceAni...

business profile image
District Invest Group
5.0 stars
44 Reviews

User Stats

12
Posts
2
Votes
Tessa Tsui
2
Votes |
12
Posts
Tessa Tsui
Replied

thank you.  I read those articles before.  But I wanted to know what are other landlord's experiences and how they handle that?  nearly every single applicant will tell me their pet is either ESA or Service dog.  there are differences between ESA and Service Pets so I'm trying to understand what are the different proof the landlord will ask

BiggerPockets logo
Join Our Private Community for Passive Investors
|
BiggerPockets
Get first-hand insights and real sponsor reviews from other investors

User Stats

439
Posts
359
Votes
Sarah Brown
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Nampa, ID
359
Votes |
439
Posts
Sarah Brown
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Nampa, ID
Replied

I'm not in Pennsylvania but I use a site called Petscreening.com.  They do all of that for me.  I can't imagine they would exclude PA.  Either they get approved through the website, or they have to pay the fees. 

User Stats

12
Posts
2
Votes
Tessa Tsui
2
Votes |
12
Posts
Tessa Tsui
Replied

thanks Sarah, i will check it out

User Stats

27,362
Posts
40,264
Votes
Nathan Gesner
Property Manager
Agent
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
40,264
Votes |
27,362
Posts
Nathan Gesner
Property Manager
Agent
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
ModeratorReplied
Quote from @Tessa Tsui:

You claim to have read those articles before, but you are using the wrong terminology and asking a question that is clearly answered by the resources Russell provided. You can't just glance at them. Print them off, study them, highlight them, make notes, read some blog posts, and understand the subject.

The second document he links includes precise definitions and a guide for landlords to use for screening support animals. You can use petscreening.com to handle this task for you and ensure you are compliant, but I still recommend you really understand the law so you can answer questions or assist with requests.


  • Nathan Gesner
business profile image
The DIY Landlord
4.7 stars
151 Reviews