Today’s show is sponsored by LeadSimple and Fourandahalf. Together, they’ve come up with one of the best conferences for property managers, called the PM Grow Summit. This event is laser-focused on growth strategies and brings together some remarkable thought leaders from around the country. I attended last year and was thoroughly impressed all around -- and that was just their first year! The next conference will be in San Diego in 2018, and I’ve already booked my spot. Go to pmgrowsummit.com to learn more, and enter promo code “Brad” to get a $100 discount on your ticket!
We’re also sponsored by Marc Cunningham of Grace Property Management. Marc has created some amazing products for property management companies, which we can say firsthand as we’ve implemented his systems here. Visit their website and try out their products! To get a 10% discount on any of Marc’s products, use the promo code “Brad”!
One question many of us struggle with regularly is that of service animals. For example, can a pit bull qualify as an assistance animal even though it may be considered dangerous? Can a twelve-foot python be an emotional support animal? What about a chicken, or a pig? Is it a reasonable accommodation to allow a blind tenant to keep a horse on the property if that is his or her primary mode of transportation?
Robert Brown, a local San Antonio attorney licensed here in Texas, joins me on the show today to talk about all this and much more. Before we go any further, let me just take a moment for a quick disclaimer: nothing in this episode should be considered legal advice. But it gives you a starting point for your research and decisions, and conversation points to touch on with your own attorney.
If you’ve ever wondered about questions related to reasonable accommodations for disabilities, service or emotional support animals, or how the process of having a claim filed against you works, tune into this episode. Robert is an expert whose services we use, so I can vouch for his ability to provide value-packed, insightful information!
Here’s where you can find Robert:
Office phone: 210-782-9111
Show Notes
[02:51] - Robert introduces himself. He explains what he does and that he specializes in representing landlords.
[04:05] - Brad asks Robert to define what a service animal is, then talks about an incident in which he couldn’t get a straight answer.
[06:28] - Robert explains that people with service animals may ask for either reasonable accommodation or reasonable modification. He clarifies what the difference is.
[08:27] - What scams are Robert seeing from tenants these days, and how can property managers protect themselves from these scams? Robert answers, then talks about how and when to ask for substantiation of a disability.
[13:38] - Robert discusses determining whether a request for modification is or is not “reasonable,” offering a colleague’s case as an example.
[16:25] - Robert’s suggestion is to have a dialogue about accommodations in writing instead of orally if possible.
[18:00] - We hear Robert’s recommendations on how to push back when you suspect someone’s requests might not be reasonable or justified.
[21:01] - Robert responds to an example of Brad’s about someone bringing in a giant snake and claiming it’s their emotional support animal.
[22:28] - Cats are one of the better emotional support animals, Robert explains. Pot-bellied pigs and chickens are other examples of possible emotional support animals.
[26:41] - Robert talks about the steps of having a claim filed against you, and the options for what to do if your tenant files a discrimination lawsuit.
[29:50] - What kind of insurance covers these sorts of issues?
[32:20] - After a short break, we come back to discuss options for what to do when there’s a case against you.
[34:00] - Brad brings up his first-ever fair housing claim, which occurred a few months ago. Robert talks about how he would work through a case and make a response.
[39:50] - Is there a no-brainer documentation situation in which Robert would always approve a service animal?
[42:15] - Brad jokes that one should never rent to attorneys or realtors. He then brings up a recent case of a new attorney applying and suggesting lease changes.
[45:04] - Robert shares a story of his own about applying for a place to live when he was in law school.
[47:03] - Robert talks about the ability to post negative reviews, which he explains isn’t the same as defamation. He then talks about how the law in question applies to landlords, tenants, and property managers.
[49:45] - What is Robert’s advice for what you should do if you get a bad review online? He and Brad discuss options, and point out that it’s vital to manage your online reviews in today’s world.
[56:18] - How can listeners reach Robert?
Links and Resources:
Robert’s office phone: 210-782-9111
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