Choosing Where to Live

questions & answers

Question: Can my landlord tell me I cannot have a dog?

Answer:

Federal law allows seniors and disabled persons living in federally assisted rental units to keep pets. This does not apply to private landlords, who have the right to exclude pets. Also, you may be charged a fee for keeping a pet, even if it is in your home, and may be prohibited from having a pet outside the home.

If you bring a pet into a property that prohibits them, you could even be evicted if you do not remove the pet after the landlord gives you written notice to do so. However, if the animal is a special needs animal and you have a medical condition for which the animal was prescribed by a medical provider, the landlord must allow you to have the pet and cannot charge you a pet fee, but may make you pay an additional security deposit, up to the limit allowed by Arizona law.