Do you think it is OK to ask on a application what ANIMALS do you have? I'm so tired of people getting their Dr friend sign a note that they NEED a companion animal. Also that its NOT a pet. Yes I know a service animal isn't but tenants often tell other tenants that a emotional support animals are also not pets.

I ask I think during the initial pre-screen. "What types of pets will you have in the home with you?"

I have yet to have anyone with an emotional support animal make it through screening. Most don't make it through the pre-screen due to not having move in money or verifiable income or some other thing that they know will disqualify them.

I am a member of the Idaho Apartment Assoc. At the last Fair Housing training, they recommended that ALL policies be changed to ANIMAL -- not pet policies. You can still have a Pet deposit and Pet rent, but all other policies relating to care of, clean up after, vaccination and vet records, inspections, noise, aggression, etc. should be directed at all animals -- not just pets.

Rathdrumgal, that's a great idea. It can be inclusive of family members that act like animals too! (tongue in cheek)

One thing I wonder about this whole ESA thing is where are we to draw the line?

I have a limit of 2 pets for my normal sane tenants. Am I supposed to allow crazy cat lady in (even if she qualifies) with her 13 support cats because some kook doctor says she needs them to feel better about herself?

I think that's a fair question.

Every time I get an email or text back from someone during a pre screen who tells me that the pets are trained ESA's, I roll my eyes and think "Here we go, let the games begin."

When a possible renter comes to look at the property and they want an application, I ask those types of questions about their "4 legged wonder", "slithering snake" or other animal/pet. Of course I want a picture of the beast with a returned application and I'll want to meet the "thing" before signing a lease.

Carl: What is your goal with this question? Say you change it from "pet" to "animal" -- what does that gain you (unless you flat out plan to violate the law)? If you change the question to "animal" -- are you just going to deny based on that? That would violate federal law, of course.

It makes more sense to ask "pet" really -- from a legal standpoint -- so that you are not accused of discrimination. Either that, or ask "animal" and then ask a second question about whether or not it is a pet or a Service or Emotional Support Animal.

To answer your more recent question: No, you may not charge a fee or additional damage deposit for a Service Animal or an Emotional Support Animal.

- John...

I ask for number and type of any animals.

This prevents them from lying or rather saying they have no pets only to find out later they have an animal that isn't a pet.

I can't very well be mad if I didn't ask the right question.

We have been successful by asking 'What type of pets or animals do you have that will be living with you?'

My application says "list all animals that will be on the property. Service animals and emotional support animals must be listed."

Also, livestock must be listed. Those 3 chickens aren't necessarily considered to be pets.

Then I have an application for reasonable accomodation of a service animal that applicants are expected to fill out if they are claiming service animal.