A federal jury recently returned a $37,343 verdict against a Montana landlord for charging a resident with physical and psychiatric disabilities $1,000 to have a service animal, according to the Justice Department.
The lawsuit alleged that the owner and manager of rental properties in Bozeman discriminated against a resident with a traumatic brain injury by charging her a $1,000 deposit as a condition for allowing her to keep her service dog, Riley. The DOJ became involved after the tenant filed a complaint with HUD.
At trial, the resident, her treating therapist, and an independent expert testified that Riley assisted the resident in living with the symptoms of her disabilities, including providing emotional support, helping to predict migraines, and reducing suicidal thoughts. The resident also testified that she repeatedly informed the landlord that charging a deposit for a service animal was illegal, but the landlord continued to levy this charge and, at one point, threatened to evict her.
The verdict includes $31,000 in compensatory damages and punitive damages for the resident, and $6,000 for a fair housing organization that assisted her with her HUD complaint.
Persons with disabilities have the right to live in and enjoy their communities
The lawsuit alleged that the owner and manager of rental properties in Bozeman discriminated against a resident with a traumatic brain injury by charging her a $1,000 deposit as a condition for allowing her to keep her service dog, Riley. The DOJ became involved after the tenant filed a complaint with HUD.
At trial, the resident, her treating therapist, and an independent expert testified that Riley assisted the resident in living with the symptoms of her disabilities, including providing emotional support, helping to predict migraines, and reducing suicidal thoughts. The resident also testified that she repeatedly informed the landlord that charging a deposit for a service animal was illegal, but the landlord continued to levy this charge and, at one point, threatened to evict her.
The verdict includes $31,000 in compensatory damages and punitive damages for the resident, and $6,000 for a fair housing organization that assisted her with her HUD complaint.
Persons with disabilities have the right to live in and enjoy their communities
