Assistance Animals — The Full Rules

Under the FHA, an assistance animal (service OR emotional-support) is a reasonable ACCOMMODATION, not a pet: no pet rent, no pet deposit, no breed or weight limits. The housing provider may ask only two things when the disability isn't obvious: is the animal needed because of a disability, and what disability-related task or support does it provide — never diagnosis details or medical records, though reliable documentation (e.g., a therapist's letter) may be requested for non-obvious needs. Deny only for concrete threats or damage the specific animal poses, not species stereotypes. The tenant remains liable for actual damage the animal causes. Contrast the ADA (public places): only trained dogs (and some miniature horses) qualify there.