Many people suffer from physical and mental disabilities so severe that they need a service dog, which not only provides therapeutic support but also helps perform basic tasks.

But what if you manage a property with a no-pets policy, and a tenant wants to have a service dog at home with them?

The American Disabilities Act requires landlords to accommodate tenants who depend on the assistance of a service dog, so you’ll have to make an exception for them. That doesn’t mean, though, that you lose your right to ask other tenants not to have pets.

Struggling to find the balance? Find out the difference between a pet and a service animal and how to keep your lease policy intact.