Emotional Support Animals and pet deposit

[Bill Rogers]

Has anyone ever had to deal with tenants and emotional support animals (ESA)? I have a potential tenant who I am screening now who has an emotional support animal. This is the first time I have ever had to deal with a scenario like this. I did a little research and found out that I can not collect a pet deposit because technically it's not a pet. Any suggestions on how to handle? Has anyone else been in a scenario like this? Thanks!!

[Dick Rosen]

You can not charge pet deposits or pet rent for an ESA. As you said, an ESA is not a pet. I strongly recommend a free service called PetScreening.com then insist that any and every animal that comes to you to rent must go through PetScreening.com they will verify the legitamcay of the animal and the patient and keep you out of that process keeping you out of trouble.