In this brief presentation, Mendell Gosnell of Centurion Real Estate Management explains the legal landscape surrounding service animals and companion animals in rental properties. He defines a pet, distinguishes service animals (trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability and covered by the ADA) from companion animals (no species or training requirements, can reside in dwelling units), and notes that HUD’s housing guidelines can treat a companion animal as a service animal when it assists a tenant with a disability. Gosnell emphasizes that both landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities regarding these animals, and that understanding the ADA and HUD definitions helps landlords make informed decisions about accepting animals in rentals. The video ends with a call to action for further questions.
Chapters
Hi, my name is Mendell Gosnell with Centurion Real Estate Management. Today I'd like to talk a little bit about service animals and companion animals and what you need to know. The law does make a slight distinction between these two terms, but in regards to accepting them at your rentals, you really don't have much of an option. A pet, starting off, is loosely defined as a domestic or tamed animal or bird that is kept for companionship or pleasure and treated with care and affection. The differences between a service animal and companion animal: service animal, not a pet, is not considered a pet. Generally is a specific type of animal such as a dog that is trained for a specific task, and they can enter into any public place. A companion animal is not a pet. There's no species requirements, no training required, and they can enter into the dwelling unit and common areas of your rental property. Some technical information about service animals and companion animals: the Americans with Disabilities Act explains that service animals are individually trained to perform tasks for people's with disabilities such as guiding the blind or alerting the deaf, or performing other special tasks. ADA defines someone with a disability as having a physical or mental impairment that hinders them from completing major life activities, or has a record of the impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment. Drawing distinctions between these two is not always easy— and as any type of animal may be considered a service animal. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, defines service animals as assisting those individuals with disabilities in some identifiable way by making it possible for them to make more effective use of their housing. So under these guidelines, a companion animal can be considered a service animal. Lastly, just important to understand that both the tenants and landlords do have rights and responsibilities in regards to pets, service animals, companion animals, and understanding these will help you in renting out your unit and making wise choices. We hope this helps. Thanks for watching. If you have further questions, give us a call here at Centurion Real Estate Management. Happy investing.
