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Sadly, those who abuse the support animal exemption by claiming their pets as support animals (and it's WAY too easy to get certification these days) make it more difficult for those who have a true need to be taken seriously. Just like all bandwagons that can be abused to get your own way. However, we would abide by federal and state law if presented with a letter from a doctor.
We don't generally rent to tenants with pets after having made an exception that ended up with the "outside only" dogs requiring complete repainting and eating a 50 year old mahogany drawer front in the kitchen (try replacing THAT easily!) among other things and then the tenants being upset that they didn't get their entire deposit back.
However, we currently have tenants who have pets because I know the wife since she was in high school, the husband since before he was born, and the wife has a dog walking and training business and I KNOW her dogs are well-behaved and not destructive.
I also am extremely annoyed by the huge number of "ESA animals" out there, at least 90% of which are bogus, in my opinion.
I have rented to several people in the past with legitimate service dogs (1 was deaf, 1 was nearly blind and one had epilepsy), and had no issue with them. But I would say at least 50% of my tenants who have animals in their rental right now claim them to be "service animals" or "support animals", which means I couldn't charge them any deposit at all. Several of them are puppies, which I usually do not allow at all, but they had doctors notes for them. I warned them that even though I can't charge a pet deposit, they are still fully liable for whatever damage they do, and puppies usually do a lot. I tried very hard, but couldn't find any other reason to deny them and I had no other applications, or else the other applications were all worse.
After dealing with tenants that had pets and pretty much destroyed one rental I would very strongly prefer people with no pets. But I don't deny people with service animals because they have a animal. I deny if they have no income, job bad credit, judgements etc. I usually charge pretty hefty deposits and have for the last 4-5 years. So I basically just make sure you have skin in the game. I don't charge more rent for a pet.
First thing I do when I get a property back is close all doors and windows and turn in the heater. Then I go have lunch. If your pet did its business in the house I'm gonna smell it. A black light helps pinpoint it. A picture or video proves it.
I allow pets, 1 and have made exceptions for 2 in the past. I take a pet fee and max out my deposit limits but I don't charge pet rent. I will do everything I can to deny an applicant with a service animal. Very bad experience with an animal that was certified at one point but the owner clearly broke the training. Worst part is I had my normal non-pet deposit, under the law you cant charge them more, and the tenant never paid for the damage.
Good luck trying to sue me over it. Your denial letter will tell you a different reason than the service animal problem as no application is perfect and if they were then they wouldn't be renting.
Because of prior irresponsible pet owning tenants, I do not rent to anyone with pets. Even service animal owners and ESA pet owners are banned from my property.
I'm in agreement i dont like pets especially dogs and see no reason i should be forced to rent to people with these animals,i'm sure most dogs are well behaved but get one that isnt and you'll have a heck of a time getting rid of these tenants.
As for service dogs? usually its just a matter of going online and ordering a service dog jacket,you can then take your dog anywhere and no one can even question you on your dogs service validity. http://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&keyw...l_5i5qc3ctge_b
I also am extremely annoyed by the huge number of "ESA animals" out there, at least 90% of which are bogus, in my opinion.
I have rented to several people in the past with legitimate service dogs (1 was deaf, 1 was nearly blind and one had epilepsy), and had no issue with them. But I would say at least 50% of my tenants who have animals in their rental right now claim them to be "service animals" or "support animals", which means I couldn't charge them any deposit at all. Several of them are puppies, which I usually do not allow at all, but they had doctors notes for them. I warned them that even though I can't charge a pet deposit, they are still fully liable for whatever damage they do, and puppies usually do a lot. I tried very hard, but couldn't find any other reason to deny them and I had no other applications, or else the other applications were all worse.
Sure you can! Until the Puppies are of age & TRAINED they are just Pets! When I got Katie at 4 months old I had to pay pet deposit! When I Proved she Did Assit me Then & only then did the apt mgr give me my deposit back. ADA & FH Both state Puppies are NOT Service Dogs until they are House Trained & Trained to Assit the H/C person!
I understand that you are exempt from Fair Housing Act.
But how about ADA - American Disabilities Act? Are there exemptions to ADA?
ADA does not cover residential private apartments and homes.
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