As a Modesto landlord, you know managing rental properties is rarely predictable. One day, you're vetting tenants; the next, you're deciphering a request for an animal accommodation.
A tenant emails asking if their emotional support dog can join them in your "no pets allowed" rental.
Your gut reaction? Confusion. What's the difference between a service animal, an emotional support animal, and a regular pet?
Luckily, we can help. Let's go through what you need to know about support animals, service animals, and pets in Modesto.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals provide comfort and emotional stability to individuals with mental health conditions or disabilities. Unlike service animals, ESAs don't need specialized training to perform particular tasks. Their primary role is to alleviate symptoms of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorders
- Other psychological challenges
This is all through their companionship and presence.
These animals are fully protected under the Fair Housing Act. This means tenants with an ESA are entitled to reasonable accommodations, even in no-pet properties.
Landlords cannot charge fees or deposits for ESAs, nor can they impose restrictions. However, California tenants must provide proper documentation verifying the need for the ESA.
Although ESAs are afforded legal protections under the FHA, they are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which means they do not have the same access rights as service animals in public spaces.
Service Animals
Service animals are specifically trained to assist those with disabilities by performing tasks directly related to their disability. These tasks can range from guiding a visually impaired person, alerting someone with a hearing impairment, or providing assistance during medical episodes, such as detecting seizures or reminding their handler to take medication. Unlike pets or emotional support animals, service animals undergo rigorous training to fulfill these roles.
Under the ADA, service animals are legally defined as dogs (and, on occasion, miniature horses). They are not considered pets, and Modesto landlords must make accommodations for service animals, even in properties with strict "no-pet" policies.
Importantly, landlords cannot charge pet fees or deposits for service animals. However, service animals must still meet local health and safety requirements, such as being properly vaccinated.
Pets
Unlike service animals and emotional support animals, pets do not have legal protections (though they may still offer mental health benefits). This means landlords have the full authority to enforce pet policies, including restrictions on:
- Breeds
- Size
- Number of pets
They may also require additional fees or deposits.
For Modesto landlords, having a clear pet policy is essential to managing expectations and maintaining property standards, along with keeping up tenant satisfaction. Higher tenant satisfaction will help boost lease renewals for any tenants with pets.
Landlords can charge pet deposits or monthly pet fees to cover potential property damage or extra maintenance.
Property Management Tips: Set Policies for Tenant Satisfaction Today
There are a lot of important differences between emotional support animals, service animals, and pets. Now that you know the basics, you can be sure you have appropriate policies in place.
Are you ready to bring in Modesto property management experts? PMI Central Valley and our franchise have been providing prompt and friendly service to landlords like you for over two decades.
Call us to get started.
