If a tenant has lived in a housing unit for years, can a landlord question the legitimacy of a sudden request for an assistance animal?

The correct answer is that a landlord can refuse the request for an assistance animal until further documentation is provided. This is rooted in the Fair Housing Act, which allows landlords to seek legitimate verification when a tenant makes a request for reasonable accommodation, such as the inclusion of an assistance animal.

Even if a tenant has lived in a property for many years, a sudden request can raise questions regarding the need for an assistance animal. Landlords are entitled to ask for documentation that establishes the legitimacy of the request, such as a letter from a healthcare provider. This ensures that the request aligns with the legal definitions of assistance animals and helps landlords balance the rights of tenants who require such accommodations with their responsibilities to maintain their properties.

The other options do not accurately reflect the legal framework surrounding assistance animals. Accepting all requests without any form of verification could lead to misuse of the provisions meant for those genuinely in need. Furthermore, landlords must maintain a fair and consistent process when addressing such requests, which includes evaluating them based on valid documentation rather than simply a tenant's history or personal record.