When a rental applicant informs the landlord of a service dog, what is the landlord not permitted to do?

A landlord is not permitted to charge a pet deposit for a service dog because service animals are not considered pets under the Fair Housing Act. This distinction is crucial because individuals who require service animals rely on them for assistance with disabilities, and imposing such a fee would create an unfair financial burden. The Fair Housing Act protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal access to housing without being subjected to additional costs related to their service animals.

While landlords are allowed to ask about the nature of the disability in some instances and request documentation to verify the need for a service animal, charging a pet deposit directly contradicts the legal protections established for individuals using service animals. The relationship between a service dog and its owner is fundamentally different from that of a typical pet and owner, highlighting the need for fair treatment in housing situations.