Assistance animals and building amenities

The principle

An accommodation gives equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling, which includes common areas you need to pass through. It does not entitle an animal to be everywhere, and restrictions applied consistently to all animals for genuine reasons generally stand.

Usually defensible restrictions

• Pools and pool decks, which are frequently subject to health rules rather than building preference.
• Gyms, on hygiene and equipment grounds.
• Food preparation and dining areas, where health codes apply.
• Laundry rooms, where a rule applies to all animals.

Harder to defend

• Excluding the animal from routes you must use to reach your own unit.
• Barring an animal from a lobby, corridor or lift where there is no alternative.
• Excluding you from an amenity because of the animal, as opposed to excluding the animal.
• Charging you to use an amenity that other residents use free.

Dog parks and pet amenities

A building dog run is a pet amenity, and a provider that charges a pet fee for access can generally apply it. This is one of the few places where being accommodated rather than owning a pet may leave you outside something, and it is usually worth simply asking.