Landlord’s Guide to Service and Companion Animals

Recurring questions in leasing surround the landlord’s pet policy: If there is a strict no-pet policy in a lease or declaration of restrictions, under what circumstances are animals allowed in the unit? What happens if the tenant requests a reasonable accommodation to have a service dog or companion animal in the unit? Landlords must comply with the law and not discriminate against potential tenants on the basis of a purported disability. There are no bright line laws, and each case is fact specific. Knowing the legal basics will be the start to helping clients make the right decisions.