Re: companion animals - Landlord Forum thread 312617

Re: companion animals by Kevin Bone (Utah) on January 18, 2014 @17:25

Your understanding is mistaken. What happened is that in housing which receives no HUD funding or benefits, the state's policy on companion animals can govern. The state's policy has to support the federal policy which, as you know, allows companion animals, working animals and such.
As a landlord you are not allowed to ask what the disability might be or vary the lease in any way from what it would be if the animal were not there. In fact, as far as Fair Housing is concerned, the animal isn't there.
This does not mean the end of the world. When others ask if they can have a dog ask, "As a pet?" If they say "yes" then it would not be a companion animal and you can invoke your "No Pets" policy.
Animals have been remarkable in treating people who need their support. Doctors are very conservative about writing a letter prescribing a companion animal as they are about prescribing oxycontin: they are constantly reviewed.
Any damage caused by the companion animal is considered as being caused by the tenant The tenant is also responsible for nuisance barking (defined by the law, check your local definition) or harm caused to another person, animal or property.

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