Can my landlord make me pay for my service dog?
If you rely on a service dog for assistance with a disability, you may wonder whether your landlord can charge you an extra fee for having your furry companion. According to the Fair Housing Act, landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, including waiving any pet fees or deposits for service animals. Therefore, unless your service dog has caused damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear, your landlord cannot make you pay an additional fee for having your service dog.
FAQs about service dogs and housing:
1. Can my landlord refuse to rent to me because I have a service dog?
Your landlord cannot legally refuse to rent to you solely because you have a service dog. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must make accommodations for tenants with disabilities, which includes allowing service animals.
2. Can my landlord evict me for having a service dog?
No, your landlord cannot evict you for having a service dog if you have a disability and rely on the animal for assistance. Evicting a tenant because of a disability and their service animal is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
3. Do I have to provide documentation for my service dog to my landlord?
While your landlord may request documentation that verifies your need for a service animal, they cannot ask for specifics about your disability. You may need to provide a letter from a healthcare provider stating that you have a disability and require the service animal.
4. Can my landlord limit the size or breed of my service dog?
Landlords must allow all types and sizes of service animals, as long as the animal is trained to assist with a disability. Breed or size restrictions do not apply to service animals under the Fair Housing Act.
5. Can my landlord charge me extra for cleaning or damage caused by my service dog?
If your service dog causes damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear, your landlord may charge you for the repairs. However, they cannot charge you a pet fee or deposit for having a service animal.
6. Can my landlord ask me to remove my service dog if it becomes a nuisance to other tenants?
If your service dog is causing a disturbance to other tenants, your landlord may ask you to address the behavior. However, they cannot request that you remove the service animal unless the behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
7. Can my landlord ask for my service dog to be trained or certified?
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot require service animals to be trained or certified. As long as the animal is trained to assist with a disability, it qualifies as a service animal.
8. Can my landlord charge me for additional pet rent for my service dog?
Landlords cannot charge pet rent or fees for service animals under the Fair Housing Act. Your service dog is not considered a pet but rather a necessary accommodation for your disability.
9. Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease because of my service dog?
Refusing to renew your lease due to your service dog would likely be considered discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, including allowing service animals.
10. Can my landlord require me to provide training records for my service dog?
Your landlord may not request training records for your service dog, as this is not a requirement under the Fair Housing Act. As long as the animal is trained to assist with a disability, the specifics of their training do not need to be disclosed.
11. Can my landlord ask me to register my service dog with a specific organization?
Landlords cannot require service animals to be registered with a specific organization. As long as your service dog is trained to assist with your disability, it is protected under the Fair Housing Act.
12. Can my landlord make me provide insurance for my service dog?
Landlords cannot require tenants with service animals to obtain additional insurance specifically for the animal. Service animals are not considered pets and do not fall under the same insurance requirements.