Service animals are different from pets, and even if you don’t allow pets in your rental property, you are legally required to allow service animals. These are often dogs, but they can be any type of animal at all. You might have a tenant with a doctor’s note that says a rooster, snake, guinea pig or ferret is necessary for that tenant’s physical or mental health.
Documentation
The first thing you need to do when a tenant tells you a service animal is necessary is to ask for documentation to support that claim. Most people will have a letter from a doctor or a therapist prescribing the animal for some sort of disability or health problem. It’s permissible for you to call the practitioner and confirm they treat your tenant and wrote the letter.
Deposits and Fees
While you might charge a pet deposit or a fee for tenants who move in with their pets, you cannot do that with a service animal. Don’t try to increase rent on tenants who need a service animal and do not ask them for a larger deposit or a pet fee. This is illegal.
Breeds
In many cases, your pet policy will restrict the breeds of dog that you allow in your properties. However, when it’s a service animal, you have to allow whatever breed the tenant happens to have.
Lease Agreement
Make sure your lease agreement addresses service animals and what you require from tenants who have them. You cannot legally prevent tenants from having a service animal when they have the proper documentation, but you can require them to clean up after those animals and to provide proof that they have been vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
You don’t want to get into legal trouble with service animals or support animals. If you’re not working with a Grand Rapids property management company and you’re unsure of how to handle tenants who need service animals, contact us at United Properties of West Michigan for assistance and additional information.
Sergio joined United Properties in 2020. He is a graduate from Pickens Technical College as a Nurse Assistant and as a Small Animal Care Provider in 2010. In the past nine years, Sergio has had various jobs, all focused around customer service.
Eden joined United Properties in 2016. Eden graduated from Davenport University in 2015 with an Associate’s in Business Administration. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Owner of United Properties, with a focus on procedural documentation. She enjoys playing guitar, reading, and doing outdoor activities. Eden is trilingual and able to communicate in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. 
David joined the United Properties team in 2019 as the Director of Client Relations and Business Development. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all leasing, application underwriting, tenant relations, accounts receivable, process improvement, remote workers, and general office functionality (essentially anything outside of maintenance and service). David comes from a longstanding career at a Fortune 15 company primarily in a sales and customer service leadership role.
Matthew joined the United Properties in early 2020. He is a graduate of Lee University with a bachelor’s in Intercultural Studies and also a master’s in Discipleship and Christian Formation. Matthew serves as a project manager over the Rent Ready process. He has 20 years of construction experience and over 10 years of experience in leadership positions. He oversees a team of technicians and schedules outside vendors getting properties back to the United rent-ready standard so that they can be leased again.
Carla joined United Properties in late 2019 as a billing specialist. Carla ensures invoices are received from contractors and bills them out in a timely fashion.
Cristina joined United Properties as the Accounting and Billing Team Lead in October of 2020. She has experience as a technology professional, an English-Spanish translator, and has worked the past several years as the treasurer of her condominium.
Rick joined United Properties in 2020 as a Service Coordinator and then later transitioned to the Collections team, where his customer service shines. Rick has an extensive background in customer service and enjoys being able to resolve issues. He and his wife are raising their two kids and in his free time, Rick enjoys making his own homemade jerky.
Harriet joined United Properties as a Accounting & Billing Specialist in February of 2021. She has experience as a bookkeeper and a Property Manager for a Real Estate account. She was a working student during her college days. Harriet loves cleaning because she thinks it is therapeutic. She also loves watching series during her free time, and she’s a fur mom of one dog. Her inspiration to work every day is her family.
Diego has an extensive background in customer service and, most recently in Maintenance and
Paulina joined United in early 2021 as a Leasing Assistant. She has a background studying social work, with several years of experience in customer service. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and loves to learn. Paulina enjoys small road trips and cold, rainy weather. Her dog is her favorite thing in the world.
Jessica has a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial strategies and public accounting and is studying a masters in Blockchain and Fintech regulation. She has previous experience as a customer service representative. She speaks English and Spanish. She loves taking long walks with her three dogs, hiking and road tripping during the weekends.
Chris Good is new to the United Properties Team since June 2022 as a Business Development Manager. With years of experience in both the construction industry (Master Electrician) and the Real Estate industry (Broker), he will closely work with new and experienced investors to facilitate their real estate goals.
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