However, many cities in the state have their own laws. When a person rents a home, whether it is an apartment, townhouse or single-family detached house, living occupants might not all be human. This means that a landlord may not evict a renter or even charge a pet deposit for emotional support animals, excluding certain rare exceptions (see below). Here’s what you need to do (or not do) to accommodate pets, assistance animals and emotional support animals. in California as a reasonable accommodation if the specific animal: poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or. California law permits a landlord to deny a request to keep a service or support animal (e.g. Landlords may not require applicants or residents to pay a pet deposit for a service dog, psychiatric service dog, or support animal, even if they do so for other applicants or residents. As a general rule and as a part of our pet policy, insurance companies tend to … Consistency. According to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey, Americans now own approximately 83.3 million dogs and 95.6 million cats. If they have a loved pet, they will exclusively rent properties that allow animals. Following are both sides of the argument: ARGUMENTS FOR TENANT PETS 1. Rules cannot be inconsistent with the CC&Rs. would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others. Your landlord cannot go into your apartment and remove a pet or show up and force you or your pet out. But you can probably charge more for your rental property if you allow them. The monthly PET RENT may be in addition to a PET SECURITY DEPOSIT – often labeled non-refundable. For additional local resources, you can also contact a housing counseling agency. Pet Owners are Everywhere. In California, you have the right to take your service dog to anyplace where the public is permitted, like doctors' offices, public transport including streetcars and boats, and concert halls. This additional fee may be considered PET RENT. California law even gets specific enough to note that a landlord may charge an extra half month’s rent if the tenant has a waterbed, presumably for the potential water damage that could occur if the bed breaks. Rent control offers more protections. We’ve used the Official State Statutes and other online sources cited below to research this information and it should be a good starting point in learning about the law. The pet is understandably part of the family. would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others. There is disagreement in the legal community over whether associations can prohibit renters' pets. And, state laws define "public places" more broadly than the ADA does. – dog, bird, etc.) It is important that landlords follow their city laws, because the laws in that city may be more in-depth than the state law. Can a California Landlord Charge a Pet Deposit for a Service Dog or Support Animal? Contracts like leases cannot be changed without both sides agreeing, unless there is already language in the document that allows the change. Whether or not you’re a pet lover, pet-friendly buildings tend to be much more attractive to pet owners, and your pet policies may play a significant role in an applicant’s decision to rent from you. Because regulations and laws involving emotional support animals in California are so new, and because many employers and landlords may not be aware of the protections, it may be beneficial to consult local and federal laws on the matter: The Fair Housing Act, the … California landlord-tenant law is relatively clear-cut. Some landlords just say no when it comes to pets, and California law allows them to do so. Renters in California are protected both by the landlord-tenant laws and also by rent control laws in certain cities. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) — The new year will make way for a new way of doing business for California property managers. If the CC&Rs allow owners to have pets, that right is passed to tenants. You have these rights even if you don't have a written lease, and even if you signed an agreement saying you would give up your rights. All renters have legal rights. Tenants are responsible for all damage they cause and any damage caused by their pets or guests. Rent control offers more protections. Landlords are required to allow renters to live with their emotional support animals or a psychiatric service dog in California. Pet Owners are Everywhere. PET RENT In most states, there is no law prohibiting a landlord from charging an extra fee each month for a pet . HUD handles complaints about housing discrimination, bad landlords in federal housing and many other issues.