Pet Dogs Becoming Certified as Service Animals

[Steve Rozenberg]

Has Anyone ever encountered a tenant that has a dog, and suddenly that dog is now certified as a service dog?

[Aaron Montague]

@Steve Rozenberg 

Yes, it just happened to me this past summer.

I don't mind pets as long as they leave no trace when they leave.  All of my leases have "No Pet" policies with the exception of service animals from "reputable" agencies.  They also state that ANY pet odor or damage will come out of the security deposit.

For the LOW, LOW price of $199, I, AARON MONTAGUE, who once owned a dog as a child, will certify YOUR BELOVED PET as a service animal to get that nasty landlord off your back.  Included in the package are a certificate AND... wait for it.... wait for it... a handkerchief with the words "Service Animal" printed on it!!

[Steve Rozenberg]

Yes it is definitely becoming more of an issue down here in Houston atleast. My business partner is the President of Houston chapter of NARPM and he did some digging and this is what he came up with. I posted this on another forum post but since I asked the question felt it was worth re-posting.

"It's actually illegal to request and require the verification or validity of a rental applicant's service animal necessity. Many managers still request it however a service animal is identical to a wheel chair and law strictly prohibits the enforcement of verification. (no pet deposits are allowed either) Therapy dogs on the other hand are not service animals and thus you can request a doctors verification for the animal.

This is usually a shock to most home owners who are adamant about no-pet policies."

[Robert Patrize]

Originally posted by @Steve Rozenberg:

"It's actually illegal to request and require the verification or validity of a rental applicant's service animal necessity. Many managers still request it however a service animal is identical to a wheel chair and law strictly prohibits the enforcement of verification. (no pet deposits are allowed either) Therapy dogs on the other hand are not service animals and thus you can request a doctors verification for the animal.

I had this exact issue 6 months ago. We served our tenant a three days notice to provide verification and she comes back four hours later with it signed. Weeks later her neighbor tell us she paid a local doctor.  Luckily the dog weighs around 6lbs and won't cause any real damage.