Short answer
An assistance animal may be part of a reasonable accommodation rather than an ordinary pet. Fees and documentation rules need careful review.
What to do next
Route the request through an accommodation process instead of the standard pet approval form.
Save the current lease, dated messages, receipts and any property-specific evidence together. A useful record shows what happened, when it happened and which document or rule you relied on.
Check the source
Rules may change and the right answer can depend on the home, city, lease and timing. Review the current official material before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.
HUD — Fair Housing Act overview ↗
Put it into your workflow
A repeatable process turns a one-time answer into a reliable rental record. Capture the action in your property file, assign a follow-up date if needed and make sure any tenant communication matches the signed agreement.
Route the request through an accommodation process instead of the standard pet approval form.
General information for U.S. landlords, with a Texas focus. This guide is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Consult a qualified professional for your situation.