August 2019 Coach's Quiz

In this lesson, we’ve given you eight rules to avoid fair housing trouble when handling requests for assistance animals. Now let’s look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the Coach’s Quiz to see what you have learned.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

Federal fair housing law prohibits communities from having a pet policy. True or false?

a.         True.

b.         False.

QUESTION #2

The community must consider a request for an assistance animal even if it’s for a resident who doesn’t appear to have a disability. True or false?

a.         True.

b.         False.

QUESTION #3

If your community has a no-pet policy, you may refuse to rent to an applicant who says he needs his dog for emotional support. True or false?

a.         True.

b.         False.

QUESTION #4

Our community allows pets, but they can’t be more than 20 pounds. If a disabled resident says she needs a larger dog as an assistance animal, then we should consider making an exception to the weight restriction as a reasonable accommodation. True or false?

a.         True.

b.         False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #1 applies here:

            Rule #1: Adopt Pet Policy Subject to Exceptions for Assistance Animals

Federal fair housing law doesn’t prohibit communities from adopting and enforcing pet policies. Your community may ban pets or limit the size, weight, number, or type of animals permitted and impose conditions, such as pet fees or deposits. In essence, you can set whatever pet policy you want—as long as you don’t use it to keep out assistance animals.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #4 applies here:

            Rule #4: Ask for Verification if Resident Doesn’t Have Apparent Disability

If the resident has a qualifying disability and has a disability-related need for the animal, then you must grant the resident’s reasonable request to make an exception to your pet policies so he can have an assistance animal. If the resident’s disability isn’t readily apparent, you may ask for reliable disability-related information that’s necessary to verify that the resident has a disability that qualifies under the FHA—that is, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities—and has a disability-related need for the animal.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #5 applies here:

            Rule #5: Consider Requests for Emotional Support Animals

Fair housing law allows people with disabilities to have assistance animals that perform work or tasks, or that provide disability-related emotional support. Assistance animals don’t have to be individually trained or certified—and they all have the same legal standing—regardless of what type of assistance they provide to an individual with a disability.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #7 applies here:

            Rule #7: Consider Requests for Dogs Otherwise Excluded Under Pet Policies

Under fair housing law, communities must consider a request for an exception to pet policies, including size or weight restrictions, as a reasonable accommodation when necessary to allow an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the property.