My renter has a DR note saying he needs a dog? wtf?

[Wizeguy]

So my leases say "No Pets (dogs, cats, animals) allowed at any time" and my renter asked me a couple times if he can get a dog..... I said "No, sorry but read the lease"
My buddy lives down the street from the house and he called me saying there's a Pitbull in your back yard. So renter mailed his rent check and I call his wife and she says they do have the dog and its under Doctors order and they do have a letter from a Doctor. Because of "patient confidentiality" I don't think I can even ask them or the Doctor why they need the dog.
I have nothing against dogs... I was a renter at one time and I had a Rott/Doberman mix and he fucked that house up and I walked away not paying for any damages.... karma's a bitch but I don't want that crap (literally) at that rental. Especially because that house was rebuilt with new everything from the landscaping, kitchen, baths, up to the new Roof.
I haven't seen the letter yet but what the hell can a doctor say that he needs a dog?!

 

[sardeanie]

Tell them you have a letter from YOUR doctor that for YOUR wellbeing you need compliant renters. Otherwise you may feel tense and unhappy. Aren't your feelings important too?

Sounds like BS. And a pitbull?! Not exactly a passive dishrag lapdog. Stupid!

 

[pntbllgamer]

Was the renter in the military at all? PTSD service dogs are becoming very big right now. They also have working dogs for people prone to seizures and stuff to.


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[Quick86]

Yup. There are working dogs for ptsd, seizures, blindness, etc etc.

Might be in your interest to meet said dog as well before it is judged.

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[COBRA90GT]

Sure sounds fishy due to the fact that the renter asked about getting a dog previously.

You'd think if it was a legitimate therapy/working dog the tenant would gladly inform his/her landlord through the proper channels before acquiring said dog because the renter's agreement specifically says "no dogs."


Guess if you get sued on account of the ADA act after evicting the renter, you'll know whether or not the guy was full of BS. LOL

 

[mikesfastss]

Raise the rent to cover your insurance premiums, if the dog bites you could be screwed.

 

[Tin]

You should have him show you the note. Some employers will make you provide a doctor's note if you are out sick longer than usual, and if you can't prove it, you're out. I believe patient confidentiality means the doctor can't share info with another party unless they have the patient's authorization.

 

[chunkybs]

rules are rules, if they don't like them they can find a dog friendly house. personally i'd tell them lose the dog or get packing.

 

[apkano]

I've never in my entire life seen a pitbull as a "working dog".

Sounds like a B.S. story to me.

 

[wrath]

The nice thing about renters is that there are no shortage of them. Ask them to amend the lease requiring a $2,000 half-refundable pet deposit and raise their rent $500-600/month in response. They are clearly playing hardball because if they actually wanted to have a dog they would have moved somewhere that allows dogs.

I doubt many people use american pitbulls for service dogs. In a home they don't even own.

 

[DennisH]

After some quick Googling, there is a lot of conflicting info out there. Spend a few bucks and talk to someone who is familiar with both Mi and Federal laws regarding service dogs.

Dennis

 

[Beigg]

The nice thing about renters is that there are no shortage of them. Ask them to amend the lease requiring a $2,000 half-refundable pet deposit and raise their rent $500-600/month in response. They are clearly playing hardball because if they actually wanted to have a dog they would have moved somewhere that allows dogs.

As much as this would make sense to the common person. Common sense doesnt come with a happy meal these days. Only lacking of a few fries and apparently heroin does.

Start with a lawyer specialized in renting, then go from there.

 

[TWOBEERS]

I would think that regardless of whatever kind of note they have. They are breaking the lease agreement by having the dog. If it is in the lease agreement that you both signed, then either you can agree to a new lease agreement that you are comfortable with, or they can get rid of the dog or get out. I would consult a lawyer for their opinion.

 

[NBFRC]

Yeah check with an attorney before booting them, if it is listed as a service dog this is cover under the American with Disabilities Act.

In Aspen Colorado most of the housing for ski employees is subsidized by the ski companies and they all have no dog policies.....to get around this people started getting these types of letters certifying that they needed helper dogs. Here is some wording to add to your next lease to at least avoid any non legitimate service dog or mini horse.

“Service animals” are dogs that have been
individually trained to
do work or perform
tasks for the benefit of an individual with
a disability. Other animals, whether wild or
domestic, do not qualify as “service animals.”
Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks
that mitigate the effects of a disability, incl
uding dogs that are used purely for emotional
support, are not “service animals.”
Subject to certain limitations, miniature
horses may be substituted for service dogs.
Miniature horses used as service animals
must meet the standards set forth by the
American Miniature Horse Association. Sp
ecifically, miniature horses may not exceed
thirty-four inches at the withers m
easured at the last mane hairs.
The use of miniature horses is prohibited
on all ski lifts and within buildings on ASC
property due to size, weight, and other safe
ty considerations within each location.
All service animals must fall within current
ADA guidelines, which include, but are not
limited to: remain under the direct
control of the user at al
l times; be house broken; and
be trained and utilized for a specific
disability approved by ADA regulations.

 

[sardeanie]

World has gone stupid.

 

[Detroit Gearbox]

Sounds like they are playing you and the system.
My neighbor managed rentals... monthly contracts only... easier to get out of and faster boot someone out of (according to him) ... and easier to change the contract (something you need to do)
You may not be able to boot them till their contract expires... then add a high deposit and very high increase to the monthly rent if a animal is found on the property along with high liability coverage insurance policy that needs your approval.

 

[nitrouspete]

couldent he do a 3 day comply or quit since its a breech of contract? or request to have a notified note from the DR. to have on file? id be requesting to have a record of all the Dogs shots on file also. he wants to push your buttons, push his back

 

[Detroit Gearbox]

Need wikdsvt to chime in.

 

[nitrouspete]

Need wikdsvt to chime in.

x2...if he dont know, bet he can point in the correct direction.

Wikdsvt..let me know if this is part of your area also. im getting into rentals this season and i may have some questions since im just getting started.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Ask to see the note. Call the doctor to confirm. If they signed a lease that has a no-pet clause, and they violated that, you may have grounds to pursue further action, such as raising the rent or putting a penalty on for the increased liability to person and property. Might want to consult a lawyer about that, because I know rental laws highly favor the tenant, but you should be able to do something. As someone else mentioned, if the dog bites someone you could be liable in some way. Home insurance might also go up because of "dangerous breed"...I think that's a thing in this state?