Families look different for everyone and for some, that includes their pets. According to the Pew Research Center, around 97% of pet owners say their animal is a member of their family. While we can all agree that many of us form emotional attachments with our pets, animals pose many challenges to property owners.
It's important to know the difference between pets, service, and support animals when renting out property in Ohio. You may want to have a blanket rule of no animals in your rental units, but certain types of pets have state and federal laws protecting them. This blog will go over the basics of these different types of animals so you can make the right choice as a property owner.
What Are Service Animals?
A service animal is trained to perform certain tasks that assist their owners with their disabilities. Service animals can be used to treat both mental and physical concerns.
Service animals are usually dogs. That's because service animals need to be highly trained in specific tasks and reliable in their ability to perform those tasks. Some of the reasons people may use a service animal include:
- Allergy detection
- Seizure detecting
- Guide for a visually impaired individual
Ohio law doesn't consider assistance or service animals pets. Therefore, service animals are exempt from any pet policy you might have in place in your rental. While you may not be able to charge pet rent or a deposit for a service animal, your tenant is still liable for any damage that the animal causes.
What Are Emotional Support Animals?
Another term for emotional support animals is ESA. An ESA is any type of animal that offers support and comfort to its owner. ESAs can include a wide range of animals, from cats to horses.
People need to get evaluated by a mental health professional to get an ESA letter. Many people get an ESA if they're dealing with a mental health issue, such as:
- Post-traumatic stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
The emotional support animal rules are like those for service dogs in rentals. The law doesn't consider ESA's pets when applying for rentals.
Landlords can't reject a potential tenant because they own an ESA. Doing so violates the Fair Housing Act.
The Difference Between Service Animals, ESAs, and Pets
Pets are animals that are companions who provide us with friendship and joy. Pets aren't trained to help their owners with tasks that support their disabilities. They're also not ESAs since they haven't been designated by a licensed mental health professional as assisting.
As a result, you can include any type of pet policy in your leases that you choose. This can include not allowing pets or charging extra rent.
Partner With a Property Management Company for Help With Akron Pet Policies
It can be complicated to understand how to rent to tenants who have a pet, emotional, or support animal. Knowing the tenant and landlord rights in Akron is key to protecting yourself and anyone you may rent to.
If you're looking for experienced property management in Akron, look no further than PMI Cuyahoga Valley RAL. Our property managers will help you vet potential tenants and help you navigate renting to those with service animals and ESAs. Reach out to our office to schedule a consultation.
