What is Pet Screening?
What is Pet Screening?
Pet screening is a process used by landlords, property managers, and housing providers to evaluate and document information about tenants' pets or assistance animals. The primary goal is to ensure that pets are suitable for a rental property and meet specific requirements such as breed restrictions, size limits, or behavioral standards. For assistance animals, the screening can verify compliance with laws like the Fair Housing Act, which may require accommodations for service or emotional support animals.
A typical pet screening process may involve:
- Pet Profile: Tenants create a profile for their pet, including details like breed, weight, vaccination records, and any behavioral issues.
- Screening Fees: Often, there is a fee associated with screening pets to cover administrative costs, though this does not apply to service or emotional support animals.
- Compliance Checks: Screening helps landlords ensure that all pets comply with community policies, and it can also help determine if an assistance animal qualifies for reasonable accommodation.
This screening helps landlords manage liability, reduce property damage, and maintain harmony between tenants who may or may not have pets. Some companies, such as PetScreening.com, provide online platforms to handle this process efficiently.
