Condominium associations often enforce a set of rules to maintain a sense of peace and order in an area. Residents who do not comply could face problems with their association.
However, there could be tenants with health conditions that may require constant care and assistance in the form of trained animal companions. Can condo associations that ban pets stop these tenants from keeping service animals?
Service animals are not pets
It is crucial to understand that service animals are not pets. These companions receive specific training to help owners who are dealing with physical or mental disabilities. They could:
- Guard their owners from danger
- Detect and assist them when they face health problems
- Serve as a sensory guide
- Retrieve medication and other objects for them
So, even though Texas condo associations can have limitations on pet ownership they may have to treat service animals as reasonable accommodation for tenants that have health conditions. Tenants can keep service animals if:
- They do so under the advice of a medical professional
- The animal does not cause problems in a residence
Furthermore, condo associations cannot impose additional fees on tenants who need to keep service animals. However, they can hold owners responsible for damages caused by their service animals.
Condominium associations should know that even though they can limit pet ownership, they may not be able to stop tenants from keeping service animals that provide essential assistance. This could prevent legal problems with tenants.