The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) states that housing providers have the right to reliable information when verifying reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals (HUD p. 11). The verification process addresses the reliability of the following:
- Physical or Mental Impairment: Whether the patient has a physical or mental impairment. Please note that the verification process does not inquire about the specific nature of the disability.
- Impact on Life Activities: Whether the patient’s impairment(s) substantially limits at least one major life activity or major bodily function.
- Need for the Animal: Whether the patient needs the animal because it does work, provides assistance, performs at least one task that benefits the patient due to their disability, or provides therapeutic emotional support to alleviate a symptom or effect of the disability, rather than merely serving as a pet.
Housing providers can determine the truth and accuracy of this documentation in the same manner they would verify other documents, such as those for background checks or employment verification (HUD p. 7). Specifically, HUD permits housing providers to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the information provided during a reasonable accommodation request, similar to other legal verifications in the leasing process (HUD p. 9).
Therefore, when a resident submits documentation from their licensed healthcare professional to support a reasonable accommodation request, the housing provider has the right to verify this information directly with the health professional.
This ensures that the source is legitimate and that the information is current and reliable, in accordance with HUD guidelines, to adequately determine whether a reasonable accommodation should be granted.
For further assistance or clarification, please contact our support team at support@ourpetpolicy.com.