What Florida Landlords Need to Know About Service Animals & Boca Raton Rental Property

Florida PMServices • July 10, 2020
What Florida Landlords Need to Know About Service Animals & Boca Raton Rental Property - Article Banner
Legal changes happen frequently when it comes to Boca Raton property management, and our job is to stay one step ahead of those requirements and regulations. One area in which we see a lot of landlords make mistakes is service animals. Service animals are protected by a number of federal laws, and while most rental property owners understand that they cannot deny housing to people who need service animals, they don’t always understand the details involved in those fair housing protections.

When renting out a property in Boca Raton, you have to be aware of the laws protecting service animals, emotional support animals, and companion animals. There are some specific things related to these animals that you can and can’t do when it comes to leasing your home, screening your tenants, and managing your property.

Service and Support Animals Are Not Pets

Many rental property owners don’t want to open their investment properties to pets. They’re worried about the damage that can be caused and the liability that often comes with dogs and cats living in the rental home.

Not allowing pets is perfectly legal. However, service and support animals are not considered pets.

The law considers these animals to be accommodations, just like a wheelchair ramp or a handrail. You cannot deny a service animal, companion animal, or emotional support animal even if you don’t allow pets.

Not only can you not deny these animals - you also cannot charge a pet deposit or a pet fee. You cannot charge any pet rent.

If you don’t want to accept a pet into your rental property, you don’t have to. But, you are required to accept service and support animals, and you cannot deny a tenant who is otherwise qualified for your home just because he or she is moving in with a service animal.

Boca Raton Property Management and Reducing Liability

While you have to allow service animals into your property when a tenant needs the accommodation, there are some things you can do to mitigate your liability and the risk to your property.

First, you can ask for required documentation. Service animals are going to have paperwork explaining exactly what they do. Emotional support animals are a little different. The animals are designated as providing emotional support, and instead of having paperwork, the tenant will need to procure an authorization or some kind of documentation from their medical doctor or healthcare provider. This will outline what the animal is needed for.

We recommend that you do your due diligence and screen the animal. Contact the doctor who signed off on the tenant’s documentation to confirm everything.
service and support animals

Tenants are also responsible for their service and support animals. You cannot charge a pet deposit, but you can still charge a security deposit, and if there is damage to the property after a tenant moves out due to the animal, you can deduct the cost of repairs. You can also require your tenant to clean up after the service or support animal and keep it from being a nuisance to neighbors and other tenants in a building.


This is still a confusing area of the law for many rental property owners and landlords, and it’s always evolving. We’re here to help you stay in compliance. If you have any questions about pets, service animals, or anything pertaining to Boca Raton property management, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Florida Property Management Services. 

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By Florida PMServices June 23, 2026
From the Law Offices of Heist, Weisse & Wolk, PLLC
By Florida PMServices June 10, 2026
Think again !!
By Florida PMServices June 9, 2026
Welcome to this month’s Investor Newsletter. With market conditions varying widely from one metro to the next, staying informed has never been more important. This edition dives into the shift away from a one-size-fits-all housing market, highlights the hidden value of assumable mortgages, and covers the SFR headlines worth watching this month. Let’s dive in! The Death of the “National Housing Market”: Why Local Knowledge Is the New Investor Edge For years, real estate investors could rely on a familiar narrative: the housing market is hot or the market is cooling. But in 2026, that headline is becoming less and less applicable as there is no longer just one housing market. Instead, there are thousands of local markets moving at different speeds. At the national level, housing appears more balanced than it has in years. According to Realtor.com’s Housing Market Report , April contract signings rose 4.5% year over year, while new listings reached their highest level since 2022. On paper, that suggests momentum is returning, but beneath the surface, the story can change by region, metro, and even ZIP code. Realtor.com found that performance across the top 50 U.S. metros varies widely, buyer activity is picking up in some areas, while others remain slow. In fact, many of the strongest-performing housing markets in early 2026 have been concentrated in the Midwest rather than the typically strongest Sun Belt region. A recent Fortune analysis noted that affordability and home pricing are helping Midwest markets outperform many southern metros in which are now facing softer demand and rising inventory. Rental performance is becoming just as localized too. The latest SFR Index found rent growth slowing significantly compared to prior years, with standalone SFR rents increasing just 0.8% year over year nationally in February. Meanwhile, some markets continue to stabilize while others face more pressure from new supply and affordability challenges. Additionally, according to a Yardi Matrix report , areas with more new construction, particularly in parts of the Sun Belt, are seeing weaker rent growth. Local market changes often show up first in property management data. Leasing activity, renewal rates, concessions, and tenant demand tend to change at the neighborhood level long before national housing reports reflect them. One area may remain highly competitive while a nearby neighborhood sees slower leasing activity. As an investor, it may be time to look beyond national headlines and even citywide trends when evaluating markets. You may want to look at where homes are leasing fastest and which neighborhoods are seeing new supply. Competitive edge may not come from choosing the right city, but from understanding the right block. As your property management company, we are here to help, so please reach out if you have any questions about your market. Did You Know: Assumable Mortgages Everything You Need to Know in 60 Seconds! What exactly is an assumable mortgage? Instead of getting a brand-new loan, the buyer takes over (or “assumes”) the seller’s existing mortgage, including the current interest rate, remaining balance, and loan terms. Not all loans qualify, but many FHA, VA, and USDA loans do, while most conventional loans do not. Who can use this? Real estate investors, homebuyers, and sellers can all benefit. For investors, assumable loans can be attractive when today’s interest rates are much higher than the seller’s existing loan rate. On the other side, it can also be used as a major selling point. Where can investors find this? Assumable mortgages can be found nationwide, but availability depends on the financing already attached to the property. Most conventional bank loans have a "due-on-sale" clause, which means they cannot be assumed. When is the best time to use this? These loans become especially valuable when current mortgage rates are much higher than rates from previous years. Assuming a mortgage at 3% instead of getting a new loan at 7% could dramatically reduce monthly payments for investors. Why does this matter? As a buyer, an assumable mortgage can help improve cash flow, lower financing costs, and make a property more attractive to future buyers. As a seller, it acts as a massive marketing tool. Offering a built-in low interest rate allows your property to stand out. Investor Takeaway: A low-rate assumable mortgage can be a valuable opportunity when buying AND a strong selling feature when it’s time to exit an investment. SFR Trending Headlines Stay Up to Date on the Hottest SFR News & Stories Are Single-Family Rentals Climbing While Apartments Slump? The Summer Pause : Why Zillow Says the Housing Recovery Just Hit a Wall Lizzo Offloads Her Beverly Hills Compound at a Massive $4M Discount Wall Street Is Betting $15 Billion on a Brand-New Wave of Housing Supply Why Ellen DeGeneres Just Listed Her $30M Eco-Farmhouse and Left for the UK Rate Update: We've Partnered with LendingOne to Bring You The Best DSCR Rates & Terms! DSCR Loan Advantages: Rates Often Lower Than Banks No Personal Income Requirement No Tax Returns Needed Not Reported on Credit Faster Closing Times Specialized Loans for Investors Only! To Inquire about Single Family Investor loans by email us at office@properties.rent Until Next Month! The Florida Property Management Services Team
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