Imagine renovating your property and investing money in a pristine interior ready to attract the attention of the Punta Gorda rental market. But just as you have a lease ready for a tenant to sign, they ask a question that leaves you in a state of panic: Do you accept animals?
This question can get even more complicated when it's about emotional support animals rather than pets. So, how should you approach this situation? Here is what owners and tenants need to know about accepting support animals into a rental property.
Emotional Support Animals: What Are They?
As the name suggests, support animals are there to help their owners. But don't get these confused with service animals, which are professionally trained to help with specific disabilities like impaired vision.
Support animals have no such training, and their help is primarily emotional and mental. So, you will sometimes see them referred to as ESAs or Emotional Support Animals.
These animals provide a range of mental assistance, and you may see them used by those with:
- Trauma and PSTD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- Conditions like autism
Support animals are often dogs, but not necessarily. Owners can pick any type of animal they feel meets their emotional needs.
Support Animal Laws
If you own a property and a tenant asks to keep a support animal, it's vital you understand the law. That's because there are specific tenant rights covering emotional support animals. Here is what you need to know:
- Support animals are covered and protected by the FHA (Fair Housing Act)
- Tenants must have evidence from a healthcare professional that they need a support animal
- If a tenant requests a support animal, you cannot charge pet fees or pet deposits
- Tenants are responsible for paying for any property damage caused by their support animal
The most important rule to remember is to check paperwork for a support animal. These animals are not pets, and documentation needs to be official to be covered by the law.
Owner and Tenant Rights With Support Animals
Support animals can cause worries for tenants and property owners. Both parties must fully know their rights and responsibilities to ensure a successful, long-term tenancy that works for everyone. Here are some tips to remember:
- Take the time to pet-proof your property
- Take photographic evidence of your property condition before your tenant moves in
- Include a pet policy in the lease outlining rules about behavior
- If you are a tenant, be mindful of neighbors and noise levels
- Consider taking your support animal to a behavioral class
If things go wrong, like a neighbor complaint, it's important to address the situation as soon as possible. Most issues can be resolved with a few conversations, so don't prolong problems.
Support Animals: Making It Work for Tenants and Owners
As an owner, it's natural to feel nervous about emotional support animals entering your property. But with careful planning and lots of open communication with your tenant, you can make the situation work for both of you.
Rules and tenant management can be overwhelming for landlords, which is why we are here to help. PMI Heartland Realty has extensive experience managing properties for owners, and you can learn more about our comprehensive services in Punta Gorda here.
