Skip to content

Renting with ADA Dogs

Renting with ADA Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

By clicking “continue to animal info” you agree to allow ADA Service Animals to text you to inform you that one of our healthcare professionals will be calling you. You also agree to receive informational auto-dialed texts and live or recorded voice messages at the phone number you provide from US Service Animals. Msg frequency varies. Msg & Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel all texts at any time.

Renting With ADA Dogs

One of the legal rights people with ada dogs have is to go everywhere with their dog and live in housing even when pets and/or specific dog breeds are not allowed. The law governing this right is the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) which provides the protection to individuals with a ada dog who are seeking housing.

For landlords, it is essential to learn about the different types of service animals and the policies they must follow before renting their properties. Denying a tenant with a service animal or ESA is not compliant with the law against discrimination.

ADA Dog Picture

Legal Services

Laws Protecting Renters

Housing/ Renting with a service dog are protected by the following laws. All of these laws protect disabled handlers and their ada animals, however it is important to keep in mind that these rights are contingent on :

  • The tenant having a disability (case law suggests the landlord may be permitted to require proof of disability)
  • Landlord/housing authority being informed of the disability
  • Reasonable accommodation may be necessary to afford tenant an equal opportunity to use and enjoy his or her dwelling (case law suggests the landlord may be permitted to require proof of need and proof of training for a ada service dog)
  • Reasonable accommodation would not constitute an undue burden or fundamental alteration

What Are "Reasonable Accomodations"?

Reasonable accommodations are when a tenant asks a landlord to make a change in an existing rule or policy to have equal access to a property. The various requirements landlords must make for ada animals or ESAs to reside in a rental unit are addressed and protected by The Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act as a reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities.

Common Disabilities and Conditions

Housing/ Rental issues with a ada dog are protected by the following laws:

Below are some common examples of tasks Service Dogs are trained to support. Keep in mind there are many “invisible disabilities” that are not ostensibly apparent, but can still be crippling without the assistance of a ADA Dog

  • A guide dog/seeing eye dog assisting a person who is blind/visually impaired with way-finding
  • A hearing dog altering a deaf/hearing impaired person when a sound occurs
  • A seizure response dog assisting a person with a seizure disorder by alerting them in prior to the onset of a seizure
  • A psychiatric service dog identifying the onset of a psychiatric problem and mitigating the impact of the attack

Additionally, these symptoms can all be addressed with ADA Animals

  • Dizziness leading to balance problems
  • Panic attacks
  • Excessive stress
  • Low blood sugar
  • Seizures
  • Depression

Additionally, there are many psychiatric problems that ADA Animals can help

  • Vertigo (dizziness/balance problems)
  • Anxiety disorders such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  • Debilitating chronic illnesses
  • Age-Related cognitive decline
  • Any Psychiatric condition such as depression, social phobia, dyslexia, stress, separation anxiety, etc.
  • Speech problems
  • Seizures
  • Bipolar disorders

Renting With ADA Dogs

A lawsuit can be filed against a landlord if they deny a potential tenant based on the fact that they own a ada dog or Emotional Support Animal. As the law states, landlords and property owners are required to make reasonable accommodations and change their policies for individuals renting with ADA dogs.

Landlords must understand that there is a key difference between pets and Ada Animals or Emotional Support Animals. Even if the housing lease prohibits pets, a landlord is by law required to accept  ada dogs. A disabled person with a ada dog has the legal right to ask the landlord to allow their ada dog regardless even if there is a no pet policy since  ada animals are not considered pets under federal law. This is called a request for a reasonable accommodation. Denial for such a request is discriminatory and illegal.

ADA Dog Picture
Register Your Pet Today &

SAVE 15%

On Your Documents

Save 15% on Registration and all items