Query: I’ve just lately moved to a rented home on a one 12 months lease. I selected this condominium partly as a result of I believed I might get a canine. (The lease stated “no pets with out proprietor’s permission,” so I assumed a canine would not less than be up for dialogue.) Nonetheless, the language within the welcome packet was strict, “No pets within the constructing, no exception.” A method of claiming this could be to say that I would like an emotional help animal. However my landlord might even see it for what it’s – a workaround – and never renew my lease when it expires. How would you deal with this example?
A: The New York Metropolis Human Rights Legislation protects New Yorkers from discrimination for disabilities, and this consists of tenants who want an emotional help animal. The welcome package deal you acquired violates these guidelines by not permitting exceptions to the constructing’s no-pet coverage, and the constructing could also be reported to the Human Rights Fee.
Let your landlord know in the event you want an emotional help animal to supply help or help in treating signs of a incapacity. You might want to incorporate a letter in help from a well being care supplier, though you aren’t required to reveal the underlying situation. Your landlord should grant your request so long as it doesn’t trigger an undue hardship.
“Go to our web site and print out that truth sheet and share it with the owner and say, ‘What does the Fee on Human Rights must say about emotional help animals,'” stated Jose Rios Lua, government director of communications. Advertising for the Human Rights Fee, which enforces the legislation.
If the owner denies your request, you’ll be able to file a criticism with the fee, which can examine your declare. If in case you have no want for an emotional help animal, your solely choice is to ask your landlord for an exception to the no-pets coverage, explaining that you just intend to be a very good proprietor. When you’ve had a canine earlier than, you’ll be able to cite it as proof of your duty. However any exceptions to the rule shall be on the discretion of your landlord.
When you want an emotional help animal, can your landlord retaliate towards you and never renew your lease on the finish of the time period? It is potential, however it will be a violation of state rental legal guidelines and human rights legislation, which protects towards retaliation. In response to Darryl M. Vernon, a lawyer representing individuals with companion animals, in the event you’ve challenged a nonrenewal, you may have a powerful case. The owner may be caught on your authorized charges. Provided that danger, “the owner may very well again out,” Mr. Vernon stated.
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