19 Feb The Problem with Falsely Claimed Emotional Support Animals in Tenant Applications

Emotional support animals can provide comfort and support to those who need it most.

As a property manager, one of the most common issues you may encounter when screening potential tenants is the topic of emotional support animals. While there are certainly cases where individuals truly require an emotional support animal, there are also instances where people may try to take advantage of the situation to skirt around no pet policies. In this post, we’ll discuss the issue with falsely claimed emotional support animals and how you can protect your property and other tenants by properly screening applicants.

First, it’s important to understand that emotional support animals are not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA only recognizes service animals, which are specifically trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. Emotional support animals, on the other hand, do not have any specific training and are simply there to provide comfort to their owners. While it’s important to respect an individual’s need for an emotional support animal, it’s also important to recognize when someone is trying to abuse this exemption to get around a no pet policy.

So, how can you properly screen tenants who claim to have an emotional support animal? It’s important to ask for proper documentation, such as a letter from a licensed healthcare professional, outlining the need for the animal. Additionally, if you have a no pet policy, you can still deny an applicant who is claiming an emotional support animal if they cannot provide proper documentation. This is because an emotional support animal is not a service animal and is not protected under the ADA.

It’s important to keep in mind that falsely claiming an emotional support animal is a red flag on a tenant application. If someone is willing to deceive or go to such lengths to skirt the rules of your property, it’s worth considering what else they may be willing to do. Proper screening can help you avoid potentially problematic tenants and protect your property and other tenants.

In conclusion, while emotional support animals can be an important aspect of mental health treatment for some individuals, it’s important to properly screen applicants who claim this exemption to ensure they are not falsely claiming it to get around your no pet policy. Understanding the difference between service animals and emotional support animals, as well as asking for proper documentation, can help you protect your property and other tenants.