What are the best ways to balance risk management and emotional support animal needs in property management?

1 Know the laws

The first step is to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and regulations that apply to ESAs in your area. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are the main federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities to have ESAs in housing and public places. However, there may be variations and exceptions depending on your state, city, or county laws. For example, some states may limit the types or numbers of ESAs that tenants can have, or require documentation or verification of their disability or need for an ESA. You should consult with a legal expert or a professional association to ensure that you comply with the applicable laws and avoid discrimination claims.

2 Have a policy

The second step is to have a clear and consistent policy for handling ESA requests and situations on your property. Your policy should outline the criteria and process for approving or denying ESA requests, the rights and responsibilities of tenants with ESAs, and the rules and expectations for ESA behavior and care. You should also specify the consequences for violating the policy, such as fines, eviction, or legal action. Your policy should be based on the laws and best practices in your area, and communicated to all your tenants and staff. You should also review and update your policy regularly to reflect any changes or issues.

3 Be reasonable

The third step is to be reasonable and flexible in dealing with ESA requests and situations on your property. You should not automatically reject or accept any ESA request, but evaluate each case individually and fairly. You should not ask for unnecessary or intrusive information about the tenant's disability or ESA, but only what is required by law or your policy. You should not charge extra fees or deposits for ESAs, but you can hold tenants liable for any damages or expenses caused by their ESAs. You should not impose unreasonable restrictions or conditions on ESAs, but you can enforce reasonable rules and expectations for ESA behavior and care. You should not ignore or dismiss any complaints or concerns about ESAs, but you can mediate or resolve any conflicts or problems with respect and professionalism.

6 Balance risk and need

The sixth and final step is to balance the risk management and emotional support animal needs in property management. You should not view ESAs as a threat or a burden, but as a legitimate and valuable need for some of your tenants. You should not neglect or compromise the risk management aspects of your property, but as a proactive and responsible manager. You should not favor or discriminate against any tenant or ESA, but treat everyone with fairness and respect. You should not avoid or resist ESA accommodation, but embrace it as an opportunity and a challenge. By following these steps, you can balance the risk management and emotional support animal needs in property management, and create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone on your property.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?