They are trying to take my snake

[Merriah]

Here's the thing though, if I get Harvey established as an emotional support animal, they cannot legally do anything with him. That's what the law says in my state. Landlords have to allow him. My appt is one hour away.

[Craiga 01453]

Here's the thing though, if I get Harvey established as an emotional support animal, they cannot legally do anything with him. That's what the law says in my state. Landlords have to allow him. My appt is one hour away.

Is this really an emotional support animal? Or are you trying to abuse the system?

[JodanOrNoDan]

Sounds like system abuse to me.

[Craiga 01453]

Sounds like system abuse to me.

If this is legitimately a support animal, which I'd be surprised to learn, than I say the OP has a case. However, it seems like an unethical ploy to abuse/beat the system. If this is the case, it looks bad for others who are trying to obtain service animals and support animals and I think the OP would be better off simply finding a new home for herself and her snake.

[Lizardlicks]

Emotional support animals require documentation from your doctor, and it's not a straight cut and dry thing. Generally speaking, you must already be officially diagnosed on paper with a maladaptive mental or physical disorder that interferes with your day to day life, and then you have to establish with your doc that yes, having an emotional support animal will help mitigate some of the adverse effects of that condition. And then your doc will sign official paperwork stating this that you can take to your landlord, and it will only ever apply to one (1) animal. Generally, things go smoothest when you bring up this possibility with your landlord FIRST, THEN go complete the paperwork with your doctor, THEN present the paperwork, THEN go get your animal, so that everyone is on the same page and following along with each step. Until you have that signed document in hand (which can take weeks to get, depending on your doc and where you live) you have to abide by the language of your lease, and if the lease says no pets/no exotics, the landlord can enforce this according to the terms of your lease, up to additional fees and/or eviction.

[distaff]

If you manage to get away with that, expect future difficulties with this landlord. His viewpoint WILL be that you abused the system, and also that you took advantage of him. If you can't work this out in a straight forward, and amicable manner, you are probably better off finding a new place, and getting the animal written in on a new lease.

Most people are willing to make some accommodations. However, no one likes surprises that aren't in their favour (esp. after a contract has been signed), and no one appreciates it when the law is used against them as a bludgeon.

[distaff]

One other thought too, and I'm not out to beat anyone up about personal decisions, but I'm not sure how wise it is to start a paper trail (out of possibly mere convenience) regarding mental health issues. Regardless of what HIPPA (or whatever the letters are) says, our medical records are not secure, and may increasingly be considered public information.

That may not be a good documented history to have if someone might later wish to purchase firearms, apply for conceal carry, join the military, get a job related security clearance, etc.

Myself, I wouldn't go down that road unless I NEEDED to.

[andrewross8705]

One other thought too, and I'm not out to beat anyone up about personal decisions, but I'm not sure how wise it is to start a paper trail (out of possibly mere convenience) regarding mental health issues. Regardless of what HIPPA (or whatever the letters are) says, our medical records are not secure, and may increasingly be considered public information.

That may not be a good documented history to have if someone might later wish to purchase firearms, apply for conceal carry, join the military, etc.

Myself, I wouldn't go down that road unless I NEEDED to.

When it comes to the purchase of a firearm, mental health and mental illness are 2 very different things. It may sound like splitting hairs but they are very much different. I have anxiety but it doesn't prevent me from purchasing firearms and it's still being battled today over whether it's an illness or health issue depending on who you talk to.

Here's the thing though, if I get Harvey established as an emotional support animal, they cannot legally do anything with him. That's what the law says in my state. Landlords have to allow him. My appt is one hour away.

Do NOT, abuse the system. As someone who has gone through the battle to have an emotional support animal and also been there for friends and patients trying to have their dog, cat and even a case of a ferret labeled as an emotional support animal, you are walking down a very unsteady bridge and chances are, your landlord has the means to challenge you in court. I'm sure you are an animal lover but it sounds like you are trying to abuse the system just so you can keep your ball python and this is why we have so many problems with various systems and cases of fraud.

Not trying to attack you but you have no right to take advantage of a system that others GENUINELY use just because you may have had a verbal agreement with your landlord.

[Merriah]

I win. I've gotten my letter. They can't take him away.

[Lizardlicks]

So. Not to put a downer on things but. Your landlord/property manager was never able to "take" your snake in the first place. The letter allows you to legally keep the snake without being fined/evicted. That doesn't mean your landlord can't do other things to make your tenancy miserable. I would not be thumbing my nose going "neener neener" if I was in your position. And don't expect to be getting a good referral from this place if it does come to the point where you want/need to move, either. All actions have consequences.