As a Harrisburg landlord, you get to decide whether you want to allow pets in your rental units, but this right doesn't extend to all types of animals. There are times when you'll have to make provision for dogs and other creatures when you receive a tenant application.
The Fair Housing Act dictates that you may not discriminate against people with disabilities, so you can't have pet policies that exclude people who need animal assistance to help them through the day.
Read on to explore the different types of service and support animals and how they differ from pets.
What Are Service Animals?
Service animals and support animals fall under the banner of assistance animals. These creatures help people with disabilities in different ways.
Service animals have more privileges than support animals and are usually trained to perform one or more specific tasks for their owners. They're usually dogs and prescribed for people with physical disabilities.
Some of the ways service animals assist people include:
- Assisting blind people with navigation
- Sound recognition for deaf people
- Helping wheelchair-bound people to open doors, etc.
Service animals' benefits are protected, and they enjoy several privileges under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you receive an application from a tenant who needs a service animal, you must make accommodations for them. This includes waiving your no-pet policy and pet deposit.
Defining Support Animals
Support animals also provide services to people with chronic conditions. They can help people with:
- Phobias
- Loneliness
- Anxiety and depression
Landlords must make accommodations for these animals upon request from a prospective tenant. In Pennsylvania's emotional support animal laws, landlords may insist on proof of the person's need for a support animal.
Where Do Pets Fit In?
All other animals are classified as pets. These can range from small species like goldfish to larger beasts, like horses, but most landlords focus on cats and dogs when setting no-pet policies.
Allowing pets in your rental property has significant benefits. It's a good way to increase your pool of prospective tenants and often attracts good tenants, too.
People who own pets are more likely to renew their leases and often take good care of your property to ensure you renew their leases.
Unfortunately, allowing pets is also a risky undertaking. Pets may:
- Destroy landscaping and wooden features
- Ruin your flooring
- Create lingering unpleasant smells in a rental unit
- Cause a disturbance by barking or roaming the neighborhood
Charging a pet deposit is one way to mitigate these damages, and regular property inspections help you keep track of any damages and address them promptly.
Make Good Choices for Your Harrisburg Properties
Harrisburg landlords have no choice when it comes to accommodating service and support animals, but you do have a say when it comes to pets in rental properties.
Hometown Property Management can help you navigate the landlord-tenant rights surrounding assistance animals and help you reap the benefits of a pet-friendly policy, too. Our services include lease negotiations, property inspections, and maintenance coordination to limit the risks associated with pet-friendly properties.
We are committed to helping your Harrisburg rental business thrive. Get started on the road to success today.
