Assistance Animals: What Housing Providers Need to Know

  EVENT DATE

October 25, 2018

  PRESENTER(s)

Paul Flogstad

  1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 10:00 AM PT | 60 Minutes


* Not able to attend the live session? We can arrange an on-demand session for You. Please call 1-‪814-892-0304


DESCRIPTION



The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law that prevents discrimination against tenants in their homes.

Under the FHA, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which significantly limits a person’s major life activities. Even if a lease says "no pets" or restricts pets, landlords are required to make what is called a “reasonable accommodation” to allow pets who serve as assistance animals, which includes animals who provide emotional support.

Assistance animals are in a different legal classification than pets who are not assistance animals, which is why pet restrictions and fees are waived for them. They are animals that work, assist and/or perform tasks and services for the benefit of a person with a disability or provide emotional support that improves the symptoms of a disability.

This live program will focus on the legal, regulatory, and practical issues presented by resident requests for assistance animals as accommodations to disabilities under the Fair Housing Act.

The legal and regulatory schemes addressing these issues are complex, and this program will provide much-needed guidance to multifamily housing owners and managers for complying with their obligations to accommodate people with disabilities who require assistance animals.

Learning Objectives:

  • The ADA is limited to service animals
  • The Fair Housing Act includes both assistance and emotional support animals
  • Policies on college campuses are evolving
  • Airports are making accommodations for assistance animals

Session Highlights:

  • Qualifying Individuals and Required Exceptions to No-Pet Policies
  • Definition of “Assistance Animals”
  • Breed and Species Restrictions and Application of “Pet Rules”
  • Liability; Potential Damages and Penalties
  • Policies and Procedures for Housing Providers
  • Considering, Evaluating and Verifying Requests for Assistance Animals
  • Responding to Requests
  • Employee Communication and Training

Who Will Benefit:

  • Property Owners
  • Property Managers
  • Property Developers
  • Public Housing Authorities
  • Compliance Professionals
  • Attorneys

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