[NAGDU] FHA

[Melissa Allman]

HI Danielle. You really should not have to provide any documentation. You are correct that you are bound by the laws concerning vaccination in your municipality but you are not required to show them vaccination records as a condition of allowing your dog access to the dorms or classroom. The FHA and ADA apply to educational institutions and they should be applying the least restrictive standard which woud be the ADA in this case. I've attached an assistance animal memo issued by HUD in 2013 that applies to public and private housing and talks a bit about where the laws intersect. I'm happy to talk to you more about this off list if you would like. Good luck.

Melissa R. Allman
Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Government Relations
The Seeing Eye, Inc.
P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375 (mail)
1 Seeing Eye Way, Morristown, NJ 07960-3378 (deliveries)
973-539-4425 ext. 1724,     Fax:  973-525-1081 mallman at SeeingEye.org

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle Sykora via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2019 12:03 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Danielle Sykora
Subject: [NAGDU] FHA

Hi everyone,

Can someone refresh my memory on what a landlord can and cannot ask for under the FHA? I'm finding slightly conflicting information online, and I want to make sure I have the facts completely right.

My university is asking me for my dog's vaccination records, licensing information, and pictures (of the dog, me and the dog, or what exactly I don't know). I've already provided documentation of my disability, and requested reasonable accomodations. I've met with the Disability Resource Center people in person as well, so they have the added benefit of observing my dog both behaving perfectly and performing tasks.

It is my understanding that the landlord (in this case the university) is only able to ask for documentation of the person's disability. OF course, if the dog is disruptive, it can be excluded, and I can be charged for any damage she causes. I understand the dog must be licensed in the town/county as any pet does and I can be fined just like any pet owner for not doing so. However, it is my understanding this license cannot be used as a condition of access.

I've already told the university I will not provide any additional information that is not covered under FHA. I have an appointment with the Disability Resource Center later today for something unrelated, but I'm sure the disability coordinator will bring this up.

Thank you in advance.
Danielle

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