What should you do in the case of an elderly disabled man wanting to rent a no-pets unit if he has a cat?

The correct course of action is to check local laws regarding assistance animals. In many jurisdictions, individuals with disabilities may require service or emotional support animals as part of their treatment. These animals are not typically considered pets; instead, they are recognized under fair housing laws and may be permitted even in no-pets policies.

Understanding local laws is vital because they can vary significantly in terms of what qualifies as an assistance animal and what specific rights the individual may have. Checking these regulations will help determine if the cat can be classified as an assistance animal, which could provide a basis for allowing the tenant to keep the cat despite the no-pets policy. Additionally, this approach helps ensure compliance with fair housing practices, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not unfairly denied housing opportunities based on policies that might improperly exclude their necessary support animals.

This response supports both the rights of the tenant and the legal responsibilities of the housing provider, making it the best option in this scenario.