Q: The current tenant is threatening to report a Fair Housing Law because we did not renew the contract demanding a reason
The lease terms end May 31 - this tenant requested an emotional support animal for her daughter who is autistic AFTER 3 weeks of moving in, never informed us before the move in date. We have been flexible, accommodated requests including to extend till June 9 and she is debating now after she has tried to demand a clear reason of why we did not renew the lease stating she will let us know if she will leave May 31 or June 9 based on her decision to file a report or not. We, landlords are debating on moving in, selling the house so at this moment we did not want to extend another year of a lease as we determine next steps. She has threatened to submit a report as she is protected under the Fair Housing Law and keeps asking for a clear explanation as she feels discriminated against. Our response has been we are planning to move in or sell but she keeps prying, are we obligated to share any more information and does she have a case if she does file?
A: I think the law in Virginia does not require a Landlord to provide the Tenant with a reason for denying a renewal of a residential lease. I am not familiar, however, with the provisions of the Fair Housing Act to provide you with an answer as to whether or not there would be a claim of discrimination by the tenant based on the facts you stated.
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