Do you need reasonable accommodations for your assistance or emotional support animal

WHAT IF YOUR LANDLORD’S RENTAL INSURANCE POLICY RESTRICTS ASSISTANCE OR SUPPORT ANIMALS? If your landlord’s insurance company says they do not allow certain breeds, you and your landlord can file a fair housing complaint against the insurance company.

WHAT IF THE LOCAL LAW RESTRICTS YOUR DOG BREED? Local officials may have to grant reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities who need assistance or support animals that are banned by local law.

REMEMBER, YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE MAY BE ENTITLED TO A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION. IF YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST IS DENIED

BY YOUR LANDLORD, CALL LEGAL AID SOCIETY.

Legal Aid Society is Tennessee's largest non-profit law firm. Our mission is to enforce, advance, and defend the legal rights of low income and vulnerable people to obtain the basic necessities of life.

We have offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Tullahoma.

Call 1-800-238-1443 for assistance In partnership with

This publication is funded by the City of Clarksville The work that provided the basis for this flyer was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and presenter are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this presentation. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government. revised 8.18.23

If you or a loved one have mental, emotional, or physical conditions that require an assistance animal, this brochure should give you the tools you need to make sure you're not being discriminated against.

Laws exist that can help you keep your assistance or support animal where you live, such as: The Fair Housing Act Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act The Americans with Disabilities Act ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT ANIMALS ARE NOT CONSIDERED PETS, AND RULES CONCERNING PETS DO NOT APPLY TO ASSISTANCE OR SUPPORT ANIMALS. Important: You can request reasonable accommodations for your support animal even if your landlord has a pet policy.

WHEN CAN YOU REQUEST REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS? You can request Reasonable Accommodations for your support animal : at any time before or during the rental term while the landlord is seeking eviction because of the animal when the landlord discovers the animal. You should not hide your animal from the landlord when the tenant is visited by someone who has an assistance animal How do I request reasonable accommodations or modifications?

Step 1: Decide what would help you live at your place with your disability Step 2: Tell your landlord what you need, like an assistance animal or a wheelchair ramp Step 3: Explain why you need the help.

You do not need to tell your landlord your diagnosis. The landlord should not ask for more information if your disability is obvious. We suggest you make your request in writing.

Note: If your disability is not obvious, your landlord can ask a reliable thirdparty to verify it. you need a reasonable accommodation/modification The accommodation/modification you asked for will help you.

RENTAL PROPERTIES MUST GRANT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN THE PERSON REQUESTING THE ACCOMMODATION HAS A DISABILITY AND THE ANIMAL ASSISTS OR IS THERAPEUTIC FOR THE PERSON’S DISABILITY.

An accommodation is reasonable if: it does not require a change to the essential nature of the property. it will not pose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Examples if a reasonable accommodation request may include:

a deviation in the rules if the complex has "no pet rule" waiver of a pet deposit.

To request reasonable accommodations, remember that you are not required to provide: a specific form a notarized statement detailed information about your disability