What question can a landlord legally ask about a tenant’s service dog?

Let’s talk about a topic that affects a lot of people in tenant-landlord land: service animals and fair housing. If you’re studying for the kinds of questions that pop up on housing-related assessments, you’ve probably wondered, “What can a landlord legally ask about a tenant’s service dog?” Here’s the plain, practical answer, plus a few handy tips for both sides.

What’s the right question, and why it matters

First, a quick frame. The Fair Housing Act is designed to make sure people with disabilities have a fair shot at housing, with reasonable accommodations when an animal helps them live more independently. Service animals—especially dogs trained to perform tasks related to a disability—are treated differently from regular pets in this context. The key is to keep the focus on what the animal does for the tenant, not on the tenant’s medical details.

If a landlord suspects a tenant needs a reasonable accommodation because of a disability, the most on-point question to ask concerns the animal’s function. In other words: what type of work has the dog been trained to do? That question gets straight to the heart of why the animal is needed, which is exactly what the law is trying to assess.

Option-by-option breakdown: what’s allowed, what isn’t

Let’s run through the four choices you mentioned and why the right one is the one that centers on the animal’s tasks.

• A. Do you have a letter from a doctor?

This one trips up privacy and relevance. Requiring medical documentation or a clinician’s letter about a disability goes beyond what a housing provider needs to know to make a reasonable accommodation. It can feel like a tug at someone’s privacy and health information, which the law generally tries to avoid in this context. It isn’t the most legally appropriate path for determining the need for a service dog.

• B. What type of work has the dog been trained to do?

This is the correct needle-pinning move. The focus here is functional—what tasks does the dog perform that aid the tenant with a disability? Examples might be guiding a visually impaired person, alerting a deaf tenant to sounds, or interrupting self-harming behaviors for someone with a neurological condition. This question aligns with the purpose of the accommodation: confirming that the animal actually performs tasks that mitigate the disability.

• C. Is the dog a family pet?

This question misses the point entirely. Being a “pet” versus a service animal doesn’t tell you whether the animal helps with a disability or which tasks it performs. It can muddy the issue and invite discrimination under the surface. The housing context isn’t about labeling the animal; it’s about ensuring access to what the tenant needs to live safely and independently.

• D. Can you provide documentation for the animal?

Documentation can feel like a tidbit of bureaucracy, and in many cases it veers into unnecessary or sensitive territory. The Fair Housing Act generally emphasizes the animal’s function over medical records or pet paperwork. Requiring documentation for the animal can be overly invasive and isn’t the most efficient way to determine eligibility for a reasonable accommodation.

Putting it simply: the right question is purposeful and task-focused

Here’s the practical takeaway. The landlord’s aim is to verify that a service animal is necessary and that it helps with a disability by performing specific tasks. The best question—the one that stays squarely on point—is: “What type of work has the dog been trained to do?” This invites a description of the actual tasks and how they relate to the tenant’s needs, without veering into sensitive health information.

What the law actually allows (in plain language)

• The landlord may ask two questions when the need isn’t obvious and the tenant’s disability isn’t visible.

• Is the animal required because of a disability?

• What tasks has the animal been trained to perform?

• The landlord should avoid:

• Demanding medical records or a diagnosis.

• Asking about the tenant’s specific medical or mental health history.

• Requiring proof the person has a disability beyond what’s needed to justify the accommodation.

• Inquiring about the disability in a way that reveals private health information.

• The goal is to confirm a reasonable accommodation, not to police a tenant’s medical background. When the disability is obvious (for example, a person using a white cane or a clearly disabled person with visible mobility aids), the landlord’s questions should be even more careful and focused on the animal’s role.

A quick note on the emotional and everyday side

Yes, this stuff can feel technical. But it’s really about people trying to live their lives with dignity. A service animal isn’t a furry accessory; it’s a lifeline for someone who navigates daily challenges. When you hear someone describe a task the dog performs—like “the dog retrieves a dropped item to help with balance” or “the dog nudges to interrupt a meltdown”—you’re hearing a practical, everyday example of the accommodation in action. That human element matters. It’s not just a legal issue; it’s about safety, independence, and inclusion.

How landlords and tenants can handle this gracefully

• For landlords:

• Keep a simple script. If you’re unsure whether the animal is a service animal, it’s okay to ask the two allowed questions to determine the need, then document the response for your records.

• Focus on the tasks. When a tenant explains what the dog does, listen for how those tasks help with daily living. That clarity helps you assess reasonable accommodations while keeping the process respectful.

• Be consistent. Apply the same standard to all applicants and residents. Fairness isn’t just a posture—it’s a policy.

• For tenants:

• Be clear and specific. When you explain what tasks the dog performs, describe how those tasks help with a disability in real-life terms—like guiding you through a crowded hallway or alerting you to a change in air quality.

• Bring whatever you’re comfortable sharing. If you’re asked about tasks, you can discuss them without going into health details. If documentation is requested, know your rights and seek guidance if the request seems intrusive.

• Ask questions too. If a landlord’s questions veer into privacy territory, you can gently steer back to the relevant task-focused information.

Common scenarios and practical language you can borrow

• Scenario 1: The dog helps with visibility and navigation.

• Landlord: “Is this animal trained to perform tasks related to your disability?”

• Tenant: “Yes. The dog is trained to alert me to hazards and guide me through unfamiliar spaces. The tasks are essential for my safety.”

• Scenario 2: The dog assists with anxiety and stress responses.

• Landlord: “What type of work has the dog been trained to do?”

• Tenant: “The dog provides tactile grounding and alerts me before I become overwhelmed in crowded places. The training supports my ability to function daily.”

• Scenario 3: The disability isn’t obvious, and the tenant prefers not to share details.

• Landlord: “What tasks has the dog been trained to perform?”

• Tenant: “The dog’s training is essential to my independence, and it directly supports my daily activities. I can share more about tasks relevant to the accommodation without getting into medical specifics.”

A gentle reminder about emotional support animals

You’ve probably heard of emotional support animals (ESAs) as well. The rules can be different, especially when it’s a matter of housing policies and building requirements. The key for any accommodation—whether a service dog or ESA—is to approach it with respect for the tenant’s needs and privacy. The “what tasks has the animal been trained to perform?” question remains a central, non-intrusive gateway to understanding the situation.

Practical steps to avoid missteps

• Documentation checklists (if applicable):

• For service animals: a description of the tasks the animal performs that mitigate the disability, kept in your records to justify the accommodation.

• For ESAs: check your local and state rules; some places allow certain documentation, others don’t. When in doubt, consult a housing attorney or your local fair housing agency.

• Reasonable accommodations evolve with clarity:

• If a tenant’s needs change, revisit the accommodation with sensitivity and a focus on safety and functionality.

• Maintain open lines of communication. A brief conversation can prevent misunderstandings and future disputes.

A few caveats and myths worth clearing up

• It’s not about proving a health condition. The focus is the connection between the dog’s tasks and the tenant’s functional needs.

• It’s not a free pass to ignore rules. Reasonable accommodations still have to respect safety, other residents’ rights, and building policies.

• It’s not a universal stamp of approval for every animal. If the dog’s behavior poses an undue risk or disruption, landlords can address it—within the framework of the law.

Why this question matters in the bigger picture

Understanding the allowed line of questioning helps keep housing fair for everyone. It reduces unnecessary friction and clarifies expectations. When both sides know what’s appropriate to ask and why, the path to a reasonable accommodation becomes smoother, not more complicated. And in everyday life—where apartment errands, moving, and noisy neighbors happen—having a fair framework matters a lot more than a long legal memo. It translates to safer buildings, better accessibility, and a sense of belonging for people who rely on service animals to navigate daily life.

Final takeaway: keep the focus on function, not health records

If you walk away with one simple rule, let it be this: the most legally sound and practically fair question is about the animal’s work. “What type of work has the dog been trained to do?” is the question that ties the accommodation to real needs, without prying into sensitive medical information or turning the housing process into a paperwork maze. It respects both the tenant’s privacy and the landlord’s obligation to comply with fair housing rules.

And if you’re ever unsure about a particular situation, remember: there are resources that can help translate these guidelines into real-world steps. HUD and state fair housing agencies offer guidance, and seeking a quick consult with a housing attorney can save plenty of time and stress later on.

So, next time you hear someone talk about a service dog in a rental setting, you’ll know what to listen for and what to ask. You’ll understand that the right question isn’t about the person’s health, or whether the dog is “just a pet,” or even about paperwork. It’s about the dog’s work—the concrete tasks that make daily living safer and more manageable for someone who relies on that animal every day. And that’s a solid, human-centered approach to fair housing in action.