Q: Prospective tenant has a Dr. letter for an Assistance Animal, but the note is over 3 years old. What can I ask or do?
The note from August of 2015 says: "(Tenant) has been my patient all of his life. Due to recent traumatic events he is need of emotional support dogs."
Plural: dogs. But he is only asking for one, a large bulldog that I'm not sure my insurance company will like.
This sounds like a family doctor who presumably will update the note, so is it risky to even ask. Then again it says "recent" events....which can no longer be applicable.
The dog has been with him for awhile, I'd certainly like to ask previous landlords about their experience, but is that off limits to inquire about the dogs behavior?
A:
This is a Fair Housing issue and boils down to a "Reasonable Accommodation." You can demand a full and formal reasonable accommodation request demonstrating the disability and the need for the emotional support animal.
These cases are very complicated, you should consider retaining an attorney to assist you with this proccesss.
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