My wife and I live in a condo community with a Homeowners Association. Most of the residents own, and there are a handful of us that rent. We all (owners and renters) pay the same condo fees every month to the association.
Dogs ARE allowed in the community, however the association bylaws are written in this manner:
"Owners may own dogs, and can use the common area to walk them. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Tenants [ie. renters] may not own dogs and are not permitted to use the common areas for walking animals at any time."
Our landlord has no problem with us having a dog, and we even put down and extra security deposit for him. He said he has never run into a problem regarding his tenants and their pets with the association.
I received a letter today that we will be fined on the basis that we have a dog, and are renters.
Is this grounds for discrimination, based on the fact that owners can have dogs and renters cannot? Do I have any legal basis to pursue this?
I feel it is discrimination against renters. I am looking for a legal basis to fight this in order to keep our dog. Please help. Our landlord is behind us 100% but said it would be on me to fight this thing if necessary.
Dogs ARE allowed in the community, however the association bylaws are written in this manner:
"Owners may own dogs, and can use the common area to walk them. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Tenants [ie. renters] may not own dogs and are not permitted to use the common areas for walking animals at any time."
Our landlord has no problem with us having a dog, and we even put down and extra security deposit for him. He said he has never run into a problem regarding his tenants and their pets with the association.
I received a letter today that we will be fined on the basis that we have a dog, and are renters.
Is this grounds for discrimination, based on the fact that owners can have dogs and renters cannot? Do I have any legal basis to pursue this?
I feel it is discrimination against renters. I am looking for a legal basis to fight this in order to keep our dog. Please help. Our landlord is behind us 100% but said it would be on me to fight this thing if necessary.