Service Dog and Housing Rights

jazzrune

Hey everyone, 

I'm with an affordable accommodation agency and they have granted me permission (verbally) to keep my emotional support dog with me in the apartment. We have lived here for 5 months and now - someone in the building is leaving dog mess outside in the communal garden area (not us). 

I received a letter today, stating the problem and at the end it says : "please do not ignore this letter if you have a dog at your property, as the next step will involve serving notice upon you for removal of the dog"

This is not the first time I have experienced problems with this person and their attitude towards us (granted this was a letter that went to the whole building and while the behaviour of leaving dog mess outside is unacceptable, this threat seems a little harsh for a first warning).

My question is.. can they remove me and / or my service dog like the threat says (for something we haven't even done)? They already know he is a service animal and we have given them the paperwork - but we do not have permission in writing from the agency.

Any help and advice is appreciated. 

Thankyou xxx

Ross_Alumni

Hi @jazzrune

Thanks for making this post, I can understand why the situation has caused you concern. I recall a situation a few months back where somebody had put something they shouldn't have in mine and my partner's recycling bin, and we received quite a stern warning from the council for it, so I can empathise with the feeling of not wanting to be punished for something you haven't done. 

In terms of yours and your dog's rights in this situation, I am not sure of what your position would be legally if I'm honest. Is there CCTV in the communal garden area? I would consider getting back in touch with whoever sent the letter, advising that you have nothing to do with the issue and that they should perhaps check the CCTV footage.

You mentioned having verbal permission for the assistance dog, which is great. I just wanted to check if you will be receiving any written permission that you could refer back to at a later date if needed?

I hope that you are finding having your assistance dog with you helpful