Odd reservation request - hunting for a lawsuit?

[Matt132]

I received this for our unit on another website, but thought it would be valued here.

Has anyone else received a reservation request like this? At first I was just going to ignore it, since it's obviously copy/paste and our unit is pet friendly,  so why go through all the trouble to get your dog approved. I figure they are trying to get declined and then sue?

After receiving the first request, I got another from same person telling me they still want to rent and our place looks great. This time they attached the note from the doctor stating they need a support animal.

Spam, scam or legit?

Original reservation request below

-------------------------

Hello,

I, R-----C------, have been diagnosed with an mental disability by my licensed mental health professional. As a result, I am requesting reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.

My reasonable accommodation does not require any physical modification of the interior or exterior of the dwelling. In this case, my reasonable accommodation is “an exception or change that a housing provider makes to rules, policies, services or regulations that will assist a resident or applicant with a disability to take full advantage of a housing program and/or dwelling.”

I am simply requesting reasonable accommodation of my disability that allows me to live with my emotional support animal in order to afford me the “equal opportunity to use and enjoy my dwelling”. I understand that I am responsible for any damage associated with my emotional support animal beyond what is considered normal wear and tear.

Should you deny my reasonable accommodation, please reply in writing the reason why you are denying my request so that I expressly know that I am not being treated differently because of my disability.

If you have any questions regarding your responsibility toward disabled individuals like me, please search for and read the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development FHEO Notice: FHEO-2013-1.

I would like to confirm this booking with my service animal and I look forward to being provided reasonable accommodation.

Sincerely,
R-----C------

[Tim-and-Holly0]

@Matt132:
My first guess is that it is not a dog that is their service animal and they are covering themselves when they show up with a pig or horse or...

[Marit-Anne0]

@Matt132  @Tim-and-Holly0 

It seems the inquirer is referring to tenancy laws, do they apply to short term rentals ?

[Tim-and-Holly0]

@Marit-Anne0:
Airbnb TOS: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869/what-is-an-assistance-animal
"Generally, yes, unless there is a threat to health or safety (see below). At Airbnb, we acknowledge that assistance animals are not the same as pets and serve a crucial function for their owner. As stated in our Nondiscrimination Policy, hosts are expected to reasonably accommodate reservations where an assistance animal may be present, even if their listing/house rules state “no pets”."

[Helen350]

@Matt132 Whether you may or may not turn him down for his 'assistance animal', or disability, as far as I know Airbnb hosts can turn prospective guests down for inappropriate communication; this includes hostile, aggressive, demanding & entitled behaviour...... - Turn him down on that!  

[Debra300]

@Matt132,

I would have said something like, "I require an original copy of the letter from the licensed mental health profession treating you for your disability that confirms you have the mental capacity to enter into legal obligations and maintain a residence.  The letter would also state that the animal is your emotional support animal, and how it provides this service."

[Ute42]

.

@Matt132 

This smells like a lawsuit. I wouldn't reply at all. This brings Your responsrate down, but whatever You reply back, they will use it against You.

[Sarah977]

Yep, this definitely sounds like phishing in order to sue you or report you to Airbnb.

I honestly don't get why those with their emotional support animals can't just save themselves and hosts a lot of grief and just book a pet-friendly listing. There's plenty of them out there.

@Matt132

[Lorna170]

Our property is pet friendly.  If I were to get a letter like this, my first thought is that the guest does not want to pay the pet fee charged (which pays for the poop cleanup and pest treatment) and my second thought is bottom-feeder looking for a free/refunded vacation at my property.  I just thank them for their inquiry and let them know that I have accepted a reservation on another site that conflicts with their dates. The same goes for those persons who want to rent my pet friendly property and then inform me that they have a life-threatening allergy to pets.  I have actually raised my nightly rates and reduced my pet fee to avoid these bottom feeders and non-paying pet owners.  Responsible pet owners exist -- they are the ones who bring everything their dog needs, throw the provided pet sheets over the couch, clean up the yard, vacuum up the hair before leaving and never fuss about the pet fee. @Matt132 

[Michelle2475]

Am I misunderstanding or does all of this mean I can’t deny animals in my home?  I don’t allow animals at all. Not only am I allergic but future guests may be as well. There are homes in the area that allow pets but not comparable and/or have pet fees. I’ve had many, many inquire where everything looks good for the booking and once I accept they come back with “can I bring my well-behave dog(s)?”  It’s very irritating but this has me thinking I might end up in a service animal related problem - did you know you just purchase papers off the internet and not from one’s own doctor?