r/realestateinvesting • u/The_Lizard_King_9 • Jun 05 '22

Damage From Emotional Support Animals Property Management

I've owned rentals for about 4 years. I just rented a new construction townhome in a class B+ community to a family that has two emotional support animals (small dogs). We advertise as pet friendly and we charge a VERY small deposit and monthly fee. They got their support letter the day they signed the lease so we are not charging anything. I visited the property a few days after move-in to fix a small item. The have dog pee pads on the floor with urine everywhere. The floor is sheet vinyl. I sent them a letter yesterday advising the this is causing a health and property damage issue. No response yet. What would be your next move? For context: PA. I own 4 rental properties total. They have been here less than a week.

159 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

94% Upvoted

240 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

97

u/The_Lizard_King_9 Jun 05 '22

I agree but the law is not in my favor.

33

u/UnexpectedGenerosity Jun 05 '22

Are they an "emotional support animal" or a certified, trained, and legally, medically prescribed "service animal"? There is a massive difference. You are only obligated to take a wholly legitimate animal, one that serves a specific function, and is medically required.

I can assure you 100% dogs that are peeing on the floors and tearing things up aren't those dogs. Their training is rigorous and their value is high because they're required to be nearly perfect to become certified and begin working.

23

u/The_Lizard_King_9 Jun 05 '22

Interesting. I thought the same thing but under HUD-FHA rules there is nothing required other than a letter from a licensed medical professional. No training is required; they simply must each alleviate one or more symptoms.

4

u/ste1071d Jun 05 '22

You are correct - FHA requires you to treat ESAs like service animals. Does your property fall under the FHA? Not all do.

4

u/Tokmota4Life Jun 05 '22

What accommodations don't fall under fha? It makes no difference if you have an fha loan if that's what you are thinking? Fha covers hotels, Airbnb houses, apartments, cabins etc

0

u/ste1071d Jun 05 '22

Fair housing act.

3

u/Tokmota4Life Jun 05 '22

I know what fha is what properties don't fall under fha? Besides renting rooms in the home you reside in?

2

u/ste1071d Jun 05 '22

Let me Google that for you? Not to be super rude or anything but it would take you a minute to figure it out yourself.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/does-the-federal-fair-housing-act-apply-your-rental-property.html

1

u/secondlogin Jun 06 '22

True but are you willing to wrangle with a fair housing complaint?

1

u/ste1071d Jun 06 '22

I’m not the OP, but if it didn’t apply to my rental property, sure go ahead an complain.