Re: Emotional support animals question - Landlord Forum thread 350226

Re: Emotional support animals question by Garry on January 18, 2017 @23:47

First, an ins. comp. is never going to know if a T has a dog or not, unless YOU inquire about it, or something bad happens that involves the dog, that causes you to turn in a claim to your ins. comp. In my opinion, you have about a .001% chance of anything bad happening involving a dog. I've been a LL for 36 years,and currently own 20 SFHs. I have always allowed small pets ( 1 only--dog or cat ) in any of my rentals. I have NEVER filed a claim regarding pets. Besides, the laws regarding ESAs are federal laws, of which override any policies a ins. co. may have. Also, an ESA dog, cat, pot-bellied pig, rabbit, miniture horse, etc. is by nature and name (ESA,) is not going to be aggressive. Contact a civil rights person in your area for more info about ESAs.

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Re: Emotional support animals question by J (FL) on January 19, 2017 @11:34	[ Reply ]

G it could create a problem if the insurance company has a banned breed list and the ESA breed is on that list. Many insurance companies will drop you if they find out you own a pitbull, etc. Or they might refuse to pay out if something happens. I'm adamantly against the whole concept of ESAs because every person I've encountered so far claiming to have one has just been been a big phony who wants to get around "no pitbull" or "no pet" rules by working the system.

Re: Emotional support animals question by Garry on January 19, 2017 @18:01	[ Reply ]

J, you are right that probably 60-70% of tenants are lying that they have an ESA, just so they can have a pet. Federal laws say they can have one, but those same laws say that they must PROVE they have a need for the ESA. That is why we LLs can ask for paperwork from a LICENSED professional that says they need one. If they can produce a REAL one, then can have the ESA in our rental without having to pay an extra deposit or fee to have it. That's the law, and we all have to abide by it. Since it's a FEDERAL law, all insurance companies have to abide by it, also. Federal laws take presedence over any rules or POLICIES an Ins. co. may have to protect their bottom line. Yes, pitbulls, mastiffs, dobermans, etc. can all be ESAs, as long as they are FRIENDLY, just like collies, beagles, labs, etc. are. Very likely, even an employee of those same Ins. co. that have policies banning certain breeds, may have to allow that employee to bring the ESA to their job site, as long as they have a DRs. letter saying they need the ESA with them during work hours. Ins. cos. are a business, just as we LLs are. And we ALL have to abide by federal laws, even if we don't agree with them.

Re: Emotional support animals question by Pam (MA) on January 19, 2017 @20:39	[ Reply ]

Thanks everyone for the input . I have discussed with HAP housing and I am required to oblige if a note is provided for the individual. After speaking with ,HAP, I have had my insurance agent contact insurance company just asking general questions and they indicated they would continue insurance with no issues unless specific breeds (i.e.: Pitts, shepards, divers, etc then those would require paperwork and they would accept with proper paperwork. ). Other breeds would not require paperwork and just should be Notated as on property but I was informed would not increase my premiums. I am thankful that I have this good tenant for 6 years and are willing to work with them I do just feel that of course some are going to take advantage for sure as I see for $99.99 companies on line stating they will provide letters and this is a duplex and I feel that the other tenants may try to use the same when they find out they can do this. Ripple effect..... Guess it's good for all to be educated about this ....

Re: Emotional support animals question