As pet owners we know that sometimes renting a house can be quite the challenging task. From price to availability, there is a laundry list of reasons the entire thing could become a headache. Not to mention, various forms of “pets” are named when dealing with the rental process. General animals come with a pet deposit and usually and increased rent or fees, however there are other types of animals that may or may not fall into this same category. I am, of course, referring to service animals and support animals and how they are viewed in the rental process.

What are service animals?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal is a dog trained specifically to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.  This includes things like dogs that guide people who are blind or other scenarios we see on a day-to-day basis. They are also used for getting help for someone having a seizure or helping people with anxiety or post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD) cope with daily living. The list goes on and on, and it is quite amazing what some of these animals can do to help.

What is the rental process for service animals?
Because service animals are trained and certified to assist disabled people, they come with no fees. This means no additional pet deposit or extra rent due to the animal living in the home. If you would like more information on renting a house in Toledo, Ohio, with your service animal, please get in touch with us now to find out how we can help.

What is a support animal?
A support animal, which is often referred to as an emotional support animal, is an animal that provides emotional support to its owner through means of companionship. This is usually a dog or a cat, but can also include other species. One thing to remember is that support animals, unlike service animals, are NOT trained to perform a specific task to help someone with a disability. They are around for the emotional support of the individual.

What is the rental process for a support animal?
This can sometimes be a touchy subject as many believe that if their animal provides a “needed” service, it qualifies as a support animal. When a support animal is offered to someone with a psychiatric disability or emotional impairment, the animal falls under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and is viewed as a “reasonable accommodation.” However, they will come with the normal pet fees (deposit and rent additions) without proper paperwork stating the animal is a true support animal.

Conclusion
It is important to remember that it doesn’t matter if your pet is a service animal or a verified support animal; you will still be responsible for any damage or excessive wear and tear caused by the pet. Make sure to have a certified service animal or a medical professional prescription for a therapy pet, or you will have to pay a pet deposit and rent and any damages caused.

If you have any questions about your service animal or support animal and renting a home in Toledo, Ohio, please contact us today.