Evaluating a Request for Assistance Animal

Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating a Resident's Request to Keep Assistance Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) makes it unlawful for a homeowners association to refuse to make a reasonable accommodation that a person with a disability may need in order to have equal opportunity to enjoy and use a dwelling.  One common request HOAs receive is for a reasonable accommodation to the HOA's pet or no animal policy so that a person with a disability is permitted to have an assistance animal.