I have a lovely couple who wanted me to show them beachfront condo property. Once we met at the property I noticed that they had a dog. We were having small talk conversation while waiting for the gate keys to enter the premises from the seller. I didn't say much about the dog because we were just going to view a condo unit on the first floor which had the windows open; the unit is a furnished efficiency facing the ocean so there wasn't much time to take to see a one room unit.

Everything was fine until we found ourselves confronted by the property manager telling us not only that we couldn't park in front of the building but that there were no pets allowed on the premises. "Oh, my dog is not just any dog. He is a service dog and I have every right to have him with me", claims the dog owner.

But the property manager insisted that they did not care what type of dog it was, just get out!

The buyers went to their car to show proof that they had indeed the proper document to show that the dog is legal and that it serves the owner for medical emergencies.

We told the property manager that we were only  going to be a few minutes to view one unit from the outside. They called security on us and told us to leave the premises because we were harassing them.

I was a bit surprised that the property manager is not even aware of this situation which clearly screams discrimination. I took the property manager to the side and told them what they were doing and they immediately let us in the premises. No more questions asked.

Sometimes people do and say things in their professions unintentionally but not only was the property manager not aware of service dog laws, they were plain out rude! 

Rights of an individual with a disability; use of a service animal...

  

Diana Perez, Realtor
Property Management
Majestic Properties Hollywood
2132 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 925-2333

 
This post has been included in Florida Information Broward County, FL Information Hollywood, FL Information
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: REALTOR LIFE
Post is included in group: Property Management Referrals and References
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: All Things Florida

2 Comments on Service Animal Owners: Be Prepared to Show Proof of Documents when Viewing Properties

FEB
20
Outside Blog

Wow. You would have to think that when that property manager went through his training he was informed of discrimination against anyone with disabilities. I cannot imagine how upset that his behavior made your customers.  No doubt that they were not interested in that condo. That is soooo horrible. I would have been tempted to contact the Community Association Manager for that condo complex and let them know what kind of trouble that they could get in by not fully educating their employees.

Cindy

9:34am • #1
MAR
01

Diana - Very sad to have a manager that is so unaware of the laws - local, state and/or federal.  Education is the key to profitable property management.  Even defending let alone losing a lawsuit is not profitable.

9:39am • #2

This blog does not allow anonymous comments

 
Rainmaker_large

Diana Perez, B.S., Realtor®

Hollywood, FL

More about me…

Majestic Properties - Hollywood

Address: 2132 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL, 33020

Office Phone: (954) 925-2333

Cell Phone: (561) 929-4439

Email Me


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones


Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find FL real estate agents and Hollywood real estate on ActiveRain.