A landlord must accommodate a blind client using a seeing eye dog even if there is a no-pets policy, because?

The correct answer is that service animals are not considered pets. This distinction is crucial in the realm of fair housing practices. Under the Fair Housing Act, individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations, which includes the use of service animals, such as seeing eye dogs. These animals are specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities and are therefore granted special status.

In this context, the presence of a seeing eye dog is not simply a matter of ownership like a typical pet; rather, it serves a functional purpose that assists the individual in navigating and overcoming their disability. This means that policies generally prohibiting pets do not apply to service animals, thus requiring landlords to accommodate tenants who utilize them.

Other choices may suggest that local laws or specific policies could allow for exceptions, but the core principle hinges on the federal definition and rights established for service animals under the Fair Housing Act. The nature of these animals as essential aids, rather than just companion pets, solidifies the obligation of landlords to accommodate their presence despite any existing no-pets policies.