What can landlords do under the Fair Housing Act regarding rental properties and pets?

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords have the authority to set reasonable restrictions regarding pet types in rental properties. This means that while landlords can establish rules about which animals are permissible, such guidelines must be reasonable and not discriminatory.

For instance, a landlord may choose to allow certain pets while prohibiting others based on factors such as size, breed, or even the type of animal entirely if it impacts the rights of other tenants or the condition of the property. This flexibility helps landlords manage their properties effectively while also respecting the rights of tenants.

This approach is important because the Fair Housing Act also emphasizes the necessity of accommodating individuals with disabilities, particularly when it comes to service animals, which are not considered pets. Therefore, while landlords can impose pet rules, they must be careful not to violate the law by discriminating against service animals or by applying pet restrictions in a way that would unfairly impact tenants' rights.