The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act are laws intended to end discrimination against tenants in their homes and allow them to have service animals. According to the ADA, service and emotional support animals are not considered pets and therefore are not subject to a pet policy. PROPOSED PET LAWS THAT WILL IMPACT LANDLORDS
“Even if a lease says ‘no pets’ or restricts pets, landlords are required to make what is called a ‘reasonable accommodation’ to allow pets who serve as assistance animals, which includes emotional support animals,” according to the Humane Society. Those laws allow the landlord to use their discretion in determining whether or not tenants can own a pet as well as what breeds and sizes of animals are
permitted. The law also grants landlords the right to impose fees related to pets. But laws about pets may soon change—in favor of the dogs. California legislators are considering a bill that would require landlords to accept all pets, regardless of whether they are service or emotional support animals or not. At the same time, Arizona is considering a law that applies to the acceptance of “restricted” breeds of dogs.
PAGE 49
Powered by FlippingBook