Service dogs in Florida

[Robert Lindsley]

Hello Biggerpockets,

A prospective tenant reached out to me for an apartment in my FL building.  They have a service dog (Bulldog) and asked if that would be an issue.  We do not allow dogs at this property, thus my question here.

Assuming the service dog has papers and they otherwise qualify for the unit, do I need to allow the service dog?  We've had problems with dogs in the past and I'd like to better understand my responsibility with regard to a service dog.

Thanks!
Robert.

[Russell Brazil]

@Robert Lindsley The attorney you spoke to simply has no idea what he is talking about.  They are 100% wrong.

All breeds can be, and have been service dogs.

There is no difference between emotional support animal and service animal under the Civil Rights Act of 1968, AKA the Fair Housing Act.  There is a difference under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, which is not the applicable law to Residential Real Estate.

I happen to teach Fair Housing for continuing education.  

Please reference HUD Guidance Memo FHEO-2013-01.