Photo not that of actual client.
“Jerome” came to JALA after his property manager notified him that he was in violation of his lease because he had an unauthorized pet. He’d been given seven days to remove the animal, which was actually his emotional support dog, “Dalia.” Jerome had already provided the property manager with a letter from his treating health-care professional verifying that Dalia was an emotional support animal, but he was still forced to move her to a family member’s home. Robert Maldonado of JALA’s Fair Housing Unit sent a reasonable accommodation request to the property manager on Jerome’s behalf, asking that he be permitted to have Dalia with him in the home. After two days, the property manager told Maldonado she was rescinding the notice of noncompliance she had issued and that Jerome was allowed to have Dalia in the home without costs or pet fees. Jerome and Dalia were reunited later that day, and they remain housed together as they should be. Sometimes even when clients know their rights, having a lawyer to help protect them can make all the difference.
