Which of the following statements about assistance animals as a reasonable accommodation is correct?

• A. Service animals are never protected by FHA.
• B. Landlords may require extensive medical documentation for all animals.
• C. Assistance animals, including service animals, are protected as a reasonable accommodation for disability.
• D. The presence of an assistance animal automatically qualifies a renter for a unit.

Answer: (C)

Reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act include permitting assistance animals, such as service animals and emotional support animals, to help a tenant with a disability use and enjoy a dwelling even if there is a no-pets policy. The landlord must allow the animal when it is necessary to accommodate the disability and does not create an undue burden or pose a direct threat. They cannot demand extensive medical records about the tenant’s condition for every animal, and they cannot automatically qualify a renter for a unit simply because an animal is present. This is why the statement that assistance animals are protected as a reasonable accommodation for disability is the correct one.