📜 The Fair Housing Act & YouLa Ley de Vivienda Justa y Usted

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law that protects individuals with disabilities from housing discrimination. Under the FHA, landlords and housing providers must make “reasonable accommodations” for tenants who need assistance animals—including both trained service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) that provide therapeutic benefit through companionship.La Ley de Vivienda Justa (FHA) es una ley federal que protege a las personas con discapacidades contra la discriminación en vivienda.

This means that even if a building has a “no pets” policy, you have the legal right to live with your assistance animal if you have a disability-related need. The FHA applies to nearly all housing, with very limited exceptions.Esto significa que incluso si un edificio tiene una política de “no mascotas”, usted tiene el derecho legal de vivir con su animal de asistencia si tiene una necesidad relacionada con discapacidad.

⚖️ Key CitationCitación Clave

Fair Housing Act: 42 U.S.C. § 3604 | HUD Guidance: 24 C.F.R. § 100.204Ley de Vivienda Justa: 42 U.S.C. § 3604 | Guía HUD: 24 C.F.R. § 100.204

✅ What Landlords CAN and CANNOT DoLo Que los Propietarios PUEDEN y NO PUEDEN Hacer

Understanding your rights is the first step to protecting them. Here’s a clear breakdown of what landlords are legally permitted and prohibited from doing under the Fair Housing Act:Comprender sus derechos es el primer paso para protegerlos. Aquí hay un desglose claro:

🚫 Landlords CANNOT:Propietarios NO PUEDEN:

  • ✗ Charge pet deposits, pet rent, or pet fees for assistance animalsCobrar depósitos, alquiler o tarifas de mascotas
  • ✗ Deny housing based on breed, size, or weight restrictionsNegar vivienda basándose en raza, tamaño o peso
  • ✗ Require your animal to be “certified” or “registered”Requerir que su animal esté “certificado” o “registrado”
  • ✗ Ask about the nature or severity of your disabilityPreguntar sobre la naturaleza o severidad de su discapacidad
  • ✗ Require the animal to wear a vest or special identificationRequerir que el animal use chaleco o identificación especial
  • ✗ Deny you solely because another tenant is allergic or afraidNegarlo solo porque otro inquilino es alérgico o tiene miedo

✓ Landlords CAN:Propietarios PUEDEN:

  • ✓ Request documentation of your disability-related need (if not obvious)Solicitar documentación de su necesidad (si no es obvia)
  • ✓ Require documentation from a licensed healthcare providerRequerir documentación de un proveedor de salud licenciado
  • ✓ Deny if the specific animal poses a direct threat to safetyNegar si el animal específico representa una amenaza directa
  • ✓ Deny if the animal would cause substantial physical damageNegar si el animal causaría daño físico sustancial
  • ✓ Hold you financially responsible for damage caused by your animalHacerlo responsable financieramente por daños causados por su animal
  • ✓ Require you to follow the same rules as other tenants (leash laws, cleanup)Requerir que siga las mismas reglas que otros inquilinos

⚠️ Important: “Direct Threat” Must Be SpecificImportante: “Amenaza Directa” Debe Ser Específica

A landlord cannot deny your assistance animal based on breed alone (like pit bulls) or general fears. To deny based on “direct threat,” they must show that your specific animal has demonstrated dangerous behavior. Past incidents with your specific animal, not assumptions about breed, are required.Un propietario no puede negar su animal de asistencia basándose solo en la raza. Para negar basándose en “amenaza directa,” deben demostrar que su animal específico ha demostrado comportamiento peligroso.

📄 Documentation RequirementsRequisitos de Documentación

If your disability and/or disability-related need for an assistance animal is not readily apparent, a housing provider may request reliable documentation. According to HUD guidance, this documentation must come from a legitimate source with personal knowledge of your condition.Si su discapacidad y/o necesidad de un animal de asistencia no es evidente, un proveedor de vivienda puede solicitar documentación confiable.

What Makes Documentation “Reliable”Qué Hace la Documentación “Confiable”

According to HUD’s 2020 guidance on assistance animals, reliable documentation should:Según la guía de HUD de 2020 sobre animales de asistencia, la documentación confiable debe:

  • Come from a licensed healthcare provider (doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or other mental health professional)Provenir de un proveedor de atención médica licenciado
  • Be from a provider who has personal knowledge of your condition through an established therapeutic relationshipSer de un proveedor que tenga conocimiento personal de su condición
  • Confirm that you have a disability as defined by fair housing lawsConfirmar que usted tiene una discapacidad según las leyes de vivienda justa
  • Explain that you have a disability-related need for the assistance animalExplicar que tiene una necesidad relacionada con discapacidad para el animal de asistencia

✅ We Can Help With DocumentationPodemos Ayudar Con Documentación

US Service Pet connects you with licensed mental health professionals in your state who can evaluate your situation and, if appropriate, provide legitimate documentation that meets HUD requirements. Start your free screening →US Service Pet lo conecta con profesionales de salud mental licenciados en su estado. Comience su evaluación gratuita →

📝 How to Request a Reasonable AccommodationCómo Solicitar una Acomodación Razonable

Follow these steps to properly request a reasonable accommodation for your assistance animal:Siga estos pasos para solicitar correctamente una acomodación razonable:

  1. Submit a Written RequestPresentar una Solicitud Escrita

    While not legally required, putting your request in writing creates a paper trail. State that you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to keep an assistance animal in your home.Aunque no es legalmente requerido, poner su solicitud por escrito crea un registro. Indique que tiene una discapacidad y necesita una acomodación razonable.

  2. Provide Documentation (if requested)Proporcionar Documentación (si se solicita)

    If your disability is not obvious, include a letter from your licensed healthcare provider. The letter should confirm your disability-related need without revealing your specific diagnosis.Si su discapacidad no es obvia, incluya una carta de su proveedor de salud licenciado.

  3. Keep Copies of EverythingGuardar Copias de Todo

    Maintain copies of your request, documentation, and all communications with your landlord. Send important communications via email or certified mail to create a clear record.Mantenga copias de su solicitud, documentación y todas las comunicaciones con su propietario.

  4. Wait for a ResponseEsperar una Respuesta

    Landlords must respond in a reasonable time frame. While there’s no specific deadline, HUD considers unnecessary delays to be a form of discrimination. Two to three weeks is generally considered reasonable.Los propietarios deben responder en un plazo razonable. Dos a tres semanas generalmente se considera razonable.

  5. Know Your Next Steps if DeniedConozca Sus Próximos Pasos si es Negado

    If your request is denied, ask for the denial in writing with specific reasons. You may file a complaint with HUD or your state fair housing agency. Learn how to file a complaint →Si su solicitud es denegada, solicite la denegación por escrito con razones específicas. Aprenda cómo presentar una queja →

✉️ Sample Request LetterCarta de Solicitud de Muestra

Here’s a template you can adapt for your reasonable accommodation request:Aquí hay una plantilla que puede adaptar para su solicitud de acomodación razonable:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]

[Landlord/Property Manager Name]
[Property Management Company]
[Address]

Re: Request for Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act

Dear [Landlord/Property Manager Name],

I am a current/prospective tenant at [Property Address]. I am writing to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) to keep an assistance animal in my home.

I have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. My licensed healthcare provider has determined that I have a disability-related need for an assistance animal. The animal provides [therapeutic benefit/task-related assistance] that helps alleviate the symptoms of my disability.

Enclosed please find documentation from my licensed healthcare provider confirming my disability-related need for an assistance animal.

Under the Fair Housing Act, housing providers must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities who need assistance animals, even in properties with “no pet” policies. I understand that I remain responsible for any damage caused by my animal and will ensure my animal does not pose a threat to others.

Please confirm receipt of this request and let me know if you require any additional information. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

🏘️ What Housing is Covered?¿Qué Viviendas Están Cubiertas?

The Fair Housing Act covers nearly all types of housing in the United States:La Ley de Vivienda Justa cubre casi todos los tipos de vivienda en Estados Unidos:

  • Apartments and rental homes (including large complexes and single-family rentals)Apartamentos y casas de alquiler
  • Condominiums (whether renting or buying)Condominios (ya sea alquilando o comprando)
  • HOA-governed properties with “no pet” rulesPropiedades gobernadas por HOA con reglas de “no mascotas”
  • Mobile homes and manufactured housingCasas móviles y vivienda prefabricada
  • University housing and dormitoriesVivienda universitaria y dormitorios
  • Retirement communities and assisted livingComunidades de retiro y vida asistida
  • Public housingVivienda pública

Limited ExceptionsExcepciones Limitadas

Very few housing types are exempt from the FHA:Muy pocos tipos de vivienda están exentos de la FHA:

  • Owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer unitsEdificios ocupados por el propietario con 4 o menos unidades
  • Single-family homes sold or rented by the owner without a brokerCasas unifamiliares vendidas o alquiladas por el propietario sin corredor
  • Housing operated by religious organizations (for their own members)Vivienda operada por organizaciones religiosas (para sus propios miembros)
  • Private clubs that provide housing for membersClubes privados que proporcionan vivienda para miembros

💡 State Laws May Provide More ProtectionLas Leyes Estatales Pueden Proporcionar Más Protección

Many states have fair housing laws that cover housing exempt from federal law. Check your state’s laws for additional protections that may apply to your situation.Muchos estados tienen leyes de vivienda justa que cubren viviendas exentas de la ley federal. Consulte las leyes de su estado.