Animal Policy
Most of our homes are no-pet (dog, cat, bird, rodent, reptile, fish, etc.) We have an
application process for animals, including pets and service / emotional support animals
(SA / ESA). Any animals that ARE allowed must be approved in advance. We have a
zero-tolerance policy for animals brought onto the property without being pre-approved.
If an animal (or evidence thereof) is found inside the property or on the premises, even
if it is “just visiting”, owned by a guest of the tenant, etc., FIRST OFFENSE may result in
a $500 FINE and REQUIREMENT TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE THE ANIMAL, or
EVICTION FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT.
We make every effort to stay current on, and follow completely, all laws regarding
service animals / emotional support animals (SA / ESA). However, laws change often,
their interpretations vary, and many people misuse and/or defraud the system for the
purpose of keeping an otherwise-disallowed pet, conjuring a fair housing / discrimination
case, or both. Therefore, to the extent that current law allows:
-Tenant shall disclose upon initial application if he owns a SA/ESA , if he qualifies to
own one, or if he plans to attempt to qualify for one.-Attempt to obtain a SA/ESA within the first 90 days of tenancy will be assumed to be a
willful omission of information from the application.-Tenant shall provide all documentation, as is available and as we have legal right to
request, for both tenant’s qualification to own a SA/ESA and the animal’s qualification to
be used as SA/ESA.-Tenant shall provide current veterinary records and other documentation, as is
available and as we have legal right to request, pertaining to the animal’s species,
breed, size, weight, age, vaccine status, spay/neuter status, specific training, etc. This
shall include a photograph of the animal in question.-Tenant shall, where permitted, provide proof liability insurance (in addition to the basic
renters insurance policy), with specific language addressing the breed of the SA/ESA, to
cover bites and other bodily harm inflicted by the animal, with a minimum of $100,000 in
liability coverage. We shall, where allowable, be listed as additional insured / loss
payee to cover his financial liability in the event of a claim.
By choosing to bring a SA/ESA onto the property, tenant hereby assumes 100% liability
for all legal and financial claims arising from ownership of said animal.
Although SA/ESAs are not “pets”, there is still a procedure to follow. Failure to disclose
possession of (or intent to possess) an SA/ESA on the application will be construed as
an attempt to circumvent the process. Bringing an animal onto the property without
going through the proper procedure is ground for eviction. Tenant agrees that, in this
case, the issue is not the SA/ESA, but the willful circumvention of the process. The
above steps are to be taken to ensure that a qualified SA/ESA is not mistaken for a non-
permitted pet, to ensure that the animal does not pose a safety or legal risk to
neighbors, passersby, management, etc., and to provide ample time for the review of all
legally requestable documents, records, proof of insurance, etc.
We are required to make REASONABLE ACCOMODATION for tenant’s request for
SA/ESA. The above policy exists to provide us and other interested parties with
information and ample time to determine if tenant’s request for accommodation is
indeed reasonable. For this reason, NO ANIMAL shall be moved onto the property until
we have granted written permission.
Our insurance carrier may have breed restrictions for certain dogs or other animals,
and this is outside of our control.
Fees/fines for damage caused by pets and/or SA/ESAs (including feces/urine in the
yard or house, smells, scratches in flooring / paint / trim / walls, etc.) will be billed
immediately, though timing for repairs will occur at PM’s discretion.