'This is a violation of the FHA': Fiance with heart condition gets prescribed a service dog, but entitled landlord refuses to let it enter the apartment

It's stories like these that pawsitively ignite a fire inside of us against all the people who try to pass of their regular pups as service dogs. It's because of these people that others are inherently untrustworthy of real service dogs. Real service dogs go through hundreds of hours of training and wouldn't react to a cat fight happening right in front of them. Fake service dogs will jump inside the produce section at Walmart. Fake service dogs will bark on planes instead of sleeping calmly underneath their owners. But real service dogs are necessary for a lot of people, including the fiancé below, who was prescribed one to help with his heart condition.

This couple has pets already, two cats, and their apartment lease has a maximum two pets policy. However, a service dog is not counted as a pet, it is counted as a medical device. But the landlord doesn't think so. Actually, he refuses to admit it. So now this couple is stuck between a rock and a hard place - do they look for another apartment and leave this entitled landlord behind? Or fight for their right to keep all three animals in their home together?

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Author image for Blake Seidel Blake Seidel
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    Fiancé Finally got a service dog. Landlord says no.

    Service dog standing next to owner including 'The landlord is saying no again and refusing to see reason'
    via david hou from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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  • 02
    My fiance has Pots, and finally finally after yeara, got an alert dog to let him know when his heart is going to f . (The smart watches and stuff don't work)
    via Cryingclovers
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    Our landlord, when we let him know, initially said yes. And then he said yes again. But now he's throwing a fit and saying i have to get rid of either my cat or our roomates cat in order to keep him because theres a "two pet policy"
    via Cryingclovers

  • If they have any of the “yes”s in writing, they're good. That should be good enough in a court to prove that he agreed to it at some point. Add in a doctor's note prescribing the dog for his medical condition, and they're golden.

  • 04
    Weve tried explaining the fair housing act and such and even offered to get a note from my fiance's health care provider.
    via Cryingclovers
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  • 05
    The police station has assured us that he cannot tell us we cant have him, but I'm still nervous and also ped because we've gone back and forth on it and now the landlord is saying no again and refusing to see reason
    via Cryingclovers
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    DarkHorseAsh111 18h ago I'm assuming you're in the US, does your landlord fall under the requirements to have to follow the FHA?
    via DarkHorseAsh111
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    Man refusing to sign a document
    via JackF

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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  • 08
    Youreallcrazyhere • 18h ago It depends on where you live. In my area, a landlord is exempt if they own under three rental units.
    via Youreallcrazyhere
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    . Wooden_Airport6331 · 18h ago Is the dog already a trained service dog?
    via Wooden_Airport6331
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    LuckystPets • 15h ago Do you have any of his yes' In writing? That may help, depending on laws in your state.
    via LuckystPets
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  • 11
    CarryOk3080 · 18h ago It's 2 pets rule which Yes the cats are pets! The dog is a medical device. It doesn't count towards pets because it isn't a pet it's a necessity. If you are Us/can you would be able to fight this.
    via CarryOk3080

  • You would think that landlords would actually be educated on all the laws that are concerning apartments, living, and property…. but we guess that's too much to ask. Most people aren't landlords as a business, just some average guy who inherited a property and is trying to make some money off of it. Still, if they're going to make money off it, they should probably learn what is and isn't legal.

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    RoyFokker7 · 6h ago Assuming you are in the US, that is direct ADA violation. If so, you may contact the Equal Rights Center: https://equalrightscenter.org/
    via RoyFokker7
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    Square-Ebb1846 • 17h ago . This is a violation of the FHA and they will not win an eviction for that reason. However, please be aware that they can decline to renew your lease for any (or no) reason in Ohio, so be prepared to move with your next renewal and/or fight a retaliation suit alleging that the non-renewal is discriminatory.
    via Square-Ebb1846
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  • 14
    SERVICE DOG
    via FatCamera

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    ahhnnna 16h ago Edited 7h ago . He *cannot deny you the service animal and the animal does not count toward any pet policies. He can change the policy to one pet for you guys upon lease renewal but he cannot change the terms of any active lease. If you don't have a lease you default to whatever your local municipality says on when changes can occur.
    via ahhnnna
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    *denying the service animal is permissible under certain circumstances outlined in a link below for Ohio. One of which is if the animal was destroying the place.
    via ahhnnna
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  • 17
    NumerousPlane3502 10h ago . Might suing under ADA and disability discrimination or harassment of the disabled be better and either failure to make reasonable accommodations or perhaps an accusation of deliberate discrimination and bias agaisnt a disabled person be better than the housing acts.
    via NumerousPlane3502
  • 18
    curtmil 14h ago I would suggest your fiance get a letter from a doctor explaining that the service dog is necessary to alert to keep him safe. Then, if the landlord tries to evict you, you can go to court with the letter ready as well as all of your other evidence. The service dog does not count as a pet, it is a medical device.
    via curtmil
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    . yomamasonions • 15h ago A service animal is not a pet and cannot be counted as such.
    via yomamasonions
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  • 20
    derossx • 8h ago . He can say what he wants but there are laws to protect you.
    via derossx
  • 21
    2BBIZY 8h ago . Get a lawyer to write a letter explaining the Fair Housing Act law and how service dogs are allowed without additional fees in leased property by privately owner with 6 or more properties and owned/serviced by property management companies. Explain that a lawsuit can be filed and involve federal charges.
    via 2BBIZY
  • 22
    Total_Ad_92 · 9h ago . You do still have two pets in the household... the two cats. The dog is not a pet. A service dog is considered a medical tool.
    via Total_Ad_92
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  • 23
    Soft-Reference4404 9h ago . 2 pet policies don't apply in this situation its seen as medical equipment more then a pet and if younreally want to stick it get one of the cats as An ESA (they don't go in public) and then you could have "4" animals. Look up what the laws and regulations around your state with service dogs and landlords
    via Soft-Reference4404

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