(Photo not that of the client.)
When “Marcy,” who has a disability, moved into a private apartment with her mother’s help, she had her emotional support dog with her. She later received a notice from her property manager saying that she had to pay a $500 pet fee. Although she notified the property manager that the dog was an emotional support animal and not a pet, she was still asked to pay the $500 pet fee.
In fear of eviction, Marcy paid the $500 pet fee, but she then turned to JALA for help. JALA Fair Housing Unit attorney Robert Maldonado worked with Marcy to make sure she provided the property manager with all the necessary paperwork and documentation for her file.
Maldonado then sent a reasonable accommodation request on Marcy’s behalf, demanding that the $500 fee she was forced to pay be returned to her as soon as possible. After some negotiation with the property manager, the $500 pet fee was returned, and Marcy’s emotional support dog was added to her lease.
