Tenant Applicant Tip #2: EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

YOU HAVE AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL...HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR SEARCH FOR A RENTAL?

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are becoming more and more common in recent years. For some property owners, there's a lot of fear around this because animals naturally increase the odds of damages and costs. But it is unlawful to discriminate against a tenant candidate because they have an ESA and you can't increase costs/security deposits for these individuals either...so what's a property owner to do? Let's hold that thought for a moment and flip to the tenant. If you are a tenant candidate with an ESA, you should be mindful of this common disposition so you can approach the leasing process cooperatively and in a way that decreases property owner concerns.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fK2WTwo8RGY

TIP # 1: NO SURPRISES

Although owners might be worried about having an animal in their home, you still want to be up front about the fact you have an emotional support animal. Across the board, nobody likes surprises, so don't hide this info until later in the process. It then comes off as deceptive, which will forever mar the relationship. Also, avoid the old bait and switch approach..."I have a pet dog"..."sorry, we're not accepting pets"..."well, actually it's an ESA". Again, this approach creates added tension and creates a relationship based on opposition. If you have an emotional support animal, be up front about it.

TIP #2: TREAT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HOW ORGANIZED AND RESPONSIBLE YOU ARE

Ultimately, the goal is for the take away to be less about the animal and more about you. If you have an ESA, that means you should have documentation from a medical professional. Don't wait for the leasing agent to ask you for it and don't create homework for them. Instead, use this as an opportunity to show how organized you are. "Dear Mick, thank you for your response and I very much look forward to meeting you at the property. I also want to ensure you are fully aware that I have an emotional support dog that will be living with me. The dog has been with me for three years and I've attached documentation from my psychiatrist. I've also CCed you on an email I recently sent her to again confirm that the dog is a necessity as part of my plan with her." ...or something like that.

TIP #3: DON'T COME ON TOO STRONG

The biggest mistake we see during leasing is tenant candidates who approach the process as if their ESA is a golden ticket. They know that owners can't say "No" BECAUSE of the ESA and for some reason they think that means they can't say "No" at all. That is obviously untrue. Your dog or cat are not a Speedpass. They do not create an advantage...other than, the aforementioned opportunity to show how organized and responsible you are. Your goal is to create comfort for the property owner and coming in heavy does the complete opposite.

CONCLUSION:

Some tenants have medical reasons that necessitate their accompaniment by an emotional support animal. Property owners might not love this but it's the world we live in today. As a tenant candidate with an ESA it is helpful for you to expect that the property owner might not be thrilled at having an animal, so you can actively take steps to decrease their discomfort. The law in on your side, but being a tenant isn't just about your right to live somewhere; it's about the longterm relationship between you and the property owner (or property manager).

Best of luck,

We'll see you out there.

-Mick

WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE READING:

Mick Lefort is the General Manager of Nexus' New Haven County Franchise Office and the Vice President of Operations for Nexus Property Management®, a National Property Management Franchise that manages all types of rental property from single family homes or condos to large apartment buildings and complexes.

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