Understanding No-Pets Clauses Your Key Questions Answered
1. Can landlords add a No-Pets Clause to a lease if a tenant already has a pet?
– Landlords’ ability to add a No-Pets Clause to a lease when a tenant already has a pet depends on whether the tenant signed a rental agreement or a lease. The legal right to change the terms of tenancy varies based on this distinction.
2. What happens if a landlord previously ignored a violation of a No-Pets Clause?
– If a landlord previously ignored a violation of a No-Pets Clause for an extended period, they might lose the right to enforce it. However, the length of time they can wait without waiving their right depends on the circumstances and local laws.
3. Can a tenant rely on a landlord’s verbal promise to allow pets even if the lease prohibits them?
– In some cases, tenants can rely on a landlord’s verbal promise to allow pets, even if the lease states otherwise. Courts may uphold such agreements if they find it fair and justifiable based on the tenant’s reliance on the landlord’s promise.
4. What are the rules regarding service animals and emotional support animals in rental housing?
– Federal law allows service animals, which are trained to perform tasks related to a person’s disability, in rental housing. Additionally, tenants with disabilities may be allowed emotional support animals (ESAs) in certain situations, depending on their need and the landlord’s ability to make reasonable accommodations.
5. What steps should tenants take if a landlord wrongly tries to enforce a No-Pets Policy?
– Tenants facing a wrongful attempt by their landlord to enforce a No-Pets Policy are advised to try resolving the issue through negotiation, potentially involving higher rent or a larger security deposit. If negotiations fail or the tenant is unsure about the policy violation, seeking assistance from community mediation centers, local humane societies, or legal counsel is recommended.
You can find the full post here
Renting with Service or Support Dogs Your Legal Rights and Landlord Responsibilities
1. What is the federal Fair Housing Act, and how does it relate to renting with a service or support dog?
– The federal Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make “reasonable accommodations” for tenants with disabilities, including allowing service or support dogs. State statutes may provide additional protections.
2. Can landlords impose restrictions on assistance dogs in lease agreements?
– Landlords can include reasonable regulations related to assistance dogs in lease or rental agreements. However, these regulations should not unduly restrict tenants with disabilities who require these dogs.
3. What legal consequences can landlords face for discriminating against tenants with service dogs?
– Landlords who discriminate against tenants with service dogs can face legal consequences. For instance, a company was fined $25,000 for discriminating against prospective renters with guide dogs, and additional penalties were imposed by the government.
4. What is the difference between the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) regarding service dogs?
– While the ADA has a strict definition of “service animal,” the FHA uses a broader standard. This means that even a dog that isn’t specifically trained to help its owner might qualify as a necessary accommodation under the FHA.
5. Are people with disabilities in government-subsidized housing allowed to have dogs, and do these dogs need special training?
– People with disabilities in government-subsidized housing are legally allowed to have dogs, whether or not these dogs have special training. Landlords in such housing must adhere to the federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which require them to provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with service dogs.
You can find the full post here
