What question can a landlord legally ask a tenant regarding their service dog?

The question about what type of work the dog has been trained to do is appropriate, as it focuses on the service aspect of the animal without delving into personal medical information or the tenant's overall health. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are permitted to ask about the specific tasks the service animal has been trained to perform, as this relates directly to the need for reasonable accommodation. This question allows the landlord to assess whether the animal meets the criteria for being classified as a service animal, which is essential for determining if the tenant requires such accommodation.

In contrast, asking for a letter from a doctor or documentation for the animal could potentially infringe on a tenant's right to privacy regarding their health details. Inquiring whether the dog is a family pet does not address the necessary function of the animal as it pertains to the tenant's needs and could lead to misunderstanding of the role of service animals. Each of these alternative questions may not effectively assist in determining the need for an emotional support animal or a service animal as per the guidelines set by the Fair Housing Act.