What the Law Says
The FHA makes it illegal for housing providers to refuse a reasonable accommodation — a change to rules, policies, or services — when necessary for a person with a disability to use and enjoy a dwelling. Waiving a no-pets policy for a disabled tenant's assistance animal is a standard example of this.
The manager said that she could keep the dog if it was “within the weight limits in the rental agreement” and she paid a $14 monthly pet fee. The tenant replied that she was not aware of any weight limit for pets in the rental agreement. The manager responded, “15 lbs. [The landlord] is pretty strict about that.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Oregon manufactured home community law is specialized and complex.
Answer: This is a typical scenario. You are entitled to ask for verification, and you should unless the need is already apparent. MHCO has forms for the tenant application and landlord agreement (if approved). You should use them!
What Did FHEO-2020-01 Do?
However reasonable your suspicions, it’s necessary to set them aside and handle the request as a request for a reasonable accommodation.
You Make the Call: Did the tenant have a valid claim for refusing to make reasonable accommodations?
Answer: Yes
Spot the Discrimination Mistake
Situation: A condo association with a no-pets policy lets a tenant keep two service dogs to accommodate his disability. After several years of good behavior, the dogs turn into incessant barkers who disturb their neighbors. The association orders the tenant to get rid of them or face eviction.