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PA Landlord Petrified of Dogs - Landlord Forum thread 361192

PA Landlord Petrified of Dogs by Annoymous on April 2, 2021 @16:32

                              
I have had my fair share of problems in the last 40 or so years of being a LL. However, since service dogs (animals) have become an issue in the last 10 (+/-) years, I've been told that it's the law that I allow them. When I was a child, I was viciously attacked twice in the same day by a dog whose owner must have gone into shock and dragged me back in the house only to be attacked again by the same animal. That being said, I have feared dogs ever since. My question is, do I have to allow service dogs in my apartments? My present tenant will not let me in unless I give her a days notice. I asked her if she had a dog and she said no. I went on to say that it's the law in PA that a LL can enter an apartment without giving notice if there is an extreme emergency. She did not respond to my declaration. I fear she does have a dog and I also fear being attacked should I enter because of an emergency. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: PA Landlord Petrified of Dogs by Garry on April 2, 2021 @20:39 [ Reply ]
First, let me just say that you need to separate your personal fears, from the business of being a Landlord. I say that because you probably do not live in any of your apartments. If you did, you "may" be able to not allow dogs there, but then you would need to also be designated as disabled, probably with PTSD by a Doctor.

Yes, the Federal Govt. says you must allow service animals and ESAs----Emotional Support Animals---- in all rentals. BUT----- any/all of those animals must be non-aggressive(friendly) to everyone, the owners of the animals must keep their places clean of any "messes" they make, and the animals must not be destructive to your property. The prospective tenants of those animals must also be able to give you a Doctors letter stating the T has a disability and needs the animal to help with the disability. Your tenant said they have no dog. You need to accept her answer as the truth, unless or until you can PROVE differently.

About notices-------YES, you must give a T at least a 24 hr notice of intent to enter, if it's not an emergency. And YES, you can enter a place asap if you have an emergency. But someone (preferably the tenant) needs to call you FIRST, to tell you about the emergency. Then, if it is a true emergency, YOU may not want to enter AT ALL. You may need to first call a plumber, an electrician, a roofer, or police or fire depts to meet you there. Or you could bring a friend or relative with you to help with the emergency. My point is, that you should still have someone there with you, if you need to enter and the T is not there.

By the way, I have been a LL in Iowa for 42 years, and currently own 19 SFHs. I'm guessing, but I have probably only had "emergencies" like you describe, about once every 2-3 years. So they don't happen very often, and main thing is the tenants SAFTY, above all else.
Re: PA Landlord Petrified of Dogs by Daniel (CA) on April 4, 2021 @17:06 [ Reply ]
police escort?
if you dont have rent control then just not renew the lease if they have an animal .

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