If you’re a disabled person with a service dog looking for an apartment to rent, you may encounter confusing laws and landlord policies. The Fair Housing Act states that landlords must accommodate service animals, but many landlords still adhere to a “no pets” policy. This can make it harder for you to find an apartment. To understand your rights and what qualifies as a service dog, keep reading.
Reasons Service Dogs are Apartment-Friendly
Service animals, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, are dogs trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. This includes physical disabilities like blindness or deafness, as well as emotional disabilities like PTSD or severe anxiety. Service dogs are well-behaved, obedient, and highly trained to assist their owners. Landlords’ main concerns, such as safety, property destruction, and odor, are addressed by the extensive training service dogs undergo.
Body Language
Here are a few signs that indicate your service dog can live in an apartment: head tilting, hugging, raised paw, and ears up.
History of Service Dogs
The use of service dogs dates back to the 1750s in Paris, France, where they assisted the blind with daily tasks. In the 1800s, dogs began serving similar roles in America. The first training school for service dogs opened in 1929, focusing on guiding the blind. Dogs started assisting with disabilities other than blindness in the 1960s and 70s. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act officially recognized dogs as service animals.
Science of a Service Dog
Service dogs are chosen based on their unique traits and characteristics. Different breeds have different strengths and purposes. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are often chosen from the Sporting Category, while collies and German Shepherds excel in the Herding Category. Dogs with low prey-drive and high biddability are preferred. These dogs are loyal, attentive, and hard working.
Finding an Apartment When You Have a Service Dog
To make your apartment search easier and put landlords at ease, it’s important to know your rights. Remind landlords of the ADA and the Fair Housing Act, which require them to accommodate service animals. Explain the nature of your dog’s job and their extensive training. Landlords may ask for written verification of your disability, but they cannot inquire about specific details.
Overall, understanding your rights and educating landlords about service dogs can improve your chances of finding an apartment that allows your service dog.
“In the search for an apartment, disabled individuals with service dogs often find themselves caught between confusing laws and landlord policies. But with proper understanding of your rights and the exceptional training of service dogs, finding a rental home becomes a possibility.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Understand your rights: As a disabled person with a service dog, it’s important to be aware of your rights under the Fair Housing Act. Landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for service animals, even if they have a “no pets” policy. Remind landlords of these laws if they try to deny your application or charge pet-related fees.
2️⃣ Educate your landlord: When searching for an apartment, take the time to explain the nature of your service dog’s job and the extensive training they have undergone. Discuss the specific tasks they are trained to assist with and provide reassurance that they pose no threat to other tenants or the property. This can help landlords feel more comfortable and willing to accommodate your needs.
3️⃣ Have documentation ready: Landlords may ask for written verification from your healthcare provider to confirm your disability and the need for a service animal. It’s a good idea to have this documentation readily available or inform your healthcare provider in advance that they may be asked for it. However, remember that landlords cannot ask for specific details about your disability.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What qualifies as a service dog according to the Americans with Disabilities Act?
– Service dogs are “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” This includes physical disabilities like blindness or deafness, as well as emotional disabilities such as PTSD or severe anxiety.
2. How are service dogs trained to be apartment-friendly?
– Service dogs undergo extensive training, including obedience, proofing, and task-specific training to assist their owner’s disability. They are well-behaved, have exceptional obedience, and are trained to ignore distractions.
3. What are the concerns that landlords have when allowing pets into their building?
– Landlords are concerned about the safety of other tenants, property destruction, and odor.
4. What is the history of service dogs?
– The recorded use of a service dog dates back to the 1750s in Paris, France. In America, the use of service dogs began in the 1800s, primarily to assist the blind. The official recognition of service dogs came with the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
5. How can I make the apartment search easier when I have a service dog?
– It is important to know your rights and remind landlords of the ADA and the Fair Housing Act, which require reasonable accommodation for service animals. Discussing the nature of your dog’s job, their extensive training, and providing written verification from a healthcare provider can help landlords feel more comfortable.
