Connextion Property Management is committed to granting reasonable accommodations to its rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford people with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their dwellings, as required by federal, state, and local law. It is Connextion Property Management’s general policy to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities whenever an individual has a disability and there is a disability related need for the requested accommodation. A disability-related need for a requested accommodation exists when there is an identifiable relationship, or nexus, between the requested accommodation and the individual’s disability. Reasonable Accommodation Request forms are available at the Connextion Property Management office at 127 East Main Street, Rexburg ID 83440 or by emailing stephanie@cpmrexburg.com and may be returned to either the office or by email when complete. If you require assistance in completing the form, please contact us. Connextion Property Management will keep a record of all requests. We will make a prompt decision on your request. In the event we need additional information to make a determination, we will promptly advise you of the information needed. It is Connextion Property Management’s policy to seek only the information necessary to verify whether you are a person with a disability and/or to evaluate if the reasonable accommodation is necessary to provide you an equal opportunity to use and enjoy our housing. If we grant the request, you will receive an email so indicating. If the request is denied, we will provide you with a letter stating all of the reasons for our denial. If we believe that the requested accommodation poses an undue financial and administrative burden or a fundamental alteration to the nature of landlord’s operations we will schedule a meeting at a mutually convenient time to discuss possible alternative accommodations that would not impose such a burden or result in a fundamental alteration. Connextion Property Management will ask you to accept an alternative accommodation only if you agree it meets your disability-related needs. We recognize that an individual with a disability is generally in the best position to know whether or not a particular accommodation will be effective in meeting his or her needs. If agreement on an alternative accommodation is not reached, we will send you a letter providing Connextion Property Management’s decision on your requested accommodation and a detailed explanation of our reasons for a denial or decision to grant an alternative accommodation. One common type of reasonable accommodation may be allowing a person with a disability to keep an assistance animal in their housing. An assistance animal is any animal that works, provides assistance, performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Connextion Property Management recognizes the importance of allowing assistance animals necessary to provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their housing. An assistance animal does not necessarily need to be trained, and is not limited to any specific type of animal.
Requesting an Assistance Animal
Although it is the policy of Connextion Property Management that residents are prohibited from having animals in any type of housing, we will consider a request by an individual with a disability for a reasonable accommodation from this prohibition to allow an assistance animal. However, no assistance animal may be kept in their housing at any time prior to the individual receiving approval as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to this Policy. A resident wishing to request an assistance animal should follow general procedures for requesting an accommodation. Connextion Property Management may require a statement from a reliable third party indicating that the resident has a disability and that the animal would provide emotional support or other assistance that would ameliorate one or more symptoms or effects of the disability. A “reliable third party” is someone who is familiar with the individual’s disability and the necessity for the requested accommodation. A reliable third-party includes someone who provides medical care, therapy or counseling to persons with disabilities, including, but not limited to, doctors, physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. Connextion Property Management, in consultation with the resident, and other parties, as appropriate, may consider the criteria below in determining whether the presence of the animal is reasonable in the making of housing assignments for individuals with assistance animals:
· Whether the animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others;
· Whether the animal causes or has caused excessive damage to housing beyond reasonable wear and tear;
· Whether the size of the animal is too large for available housing space;
· Whether the animal's presence would force another individual from individual housing in student housing properties (e.g. serious allergies);
· Whether the animal's presence otherwise violates individuals' right to peace and quiet enjoyment; and
· Whether the animal is housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner.
Owner’s Responsibilities
Owners granted the accommodation of an assistance animal in their unit shall be subject to the following rules, in addition to any other university rules and regulations not specifically related to assistance animals. The owner must:
• Keep the Animal in their residence/unit. An assistance animal must be contained within the owner’s living accommodations except to the extent the individual is taking the animal out for natural relief. When an assistance animal is outside the private individual living accommodations, it must be in an animal carrier or controlled by a leash or harness.
• Keep the Animal under Control. The Assistance Animal must be properly housed and restrained or otherwise under the dominion and control of the owner at all times. No owner shall permit the animal to go loose or run at large. If an animal is found running at large, the animal is subject to capture and confinement and immediate removal from housing.
• Abide by Laws and Policies. The owner must abide by current city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and/or regulations pertaining to licensing, vaccination, and other requirements for animals. It is the owner’s responsibility to know and understand these ordinances, laws, and regulations. Connextion Property Management has the right to require documentation of compliance with such ordinances, laws, and/or regulations, which may include a vaccination certificate. Connextion Property Management reserves the right to request documentation showing that the animal has been licensed. Additionally, the owner must abide by all equally applicable residential policies, such as assuring that the animal does not unduly interfere with the routine activities of the residence or cause difficulties for individuals who reside there.
• Ensure the Animal is well cared-for. The owner is required to ensure the animal is well cared for at all times. Any evidence of mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or leaving the assistance animal unattended for unreasonably long periods of time may result in immediate removal of the Assistance Animal. Additionally, in student housing properties, assistance animals may not be left overnight in their residence/unit to be cared for by any individual other than the owner. If the owner is to be absent from his/her residence/unit overnight or longer, the animal must accompany the owner. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the assistance animal is contained, as appropriate, when the owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities.
• Be Responsible for Property Damage. The owner is required to clean up after and properly dispose of the animal’s waste in a safe and sanitary manner and, when provided, must use animal relief areas designated by management. An individual with a disability may be charged for any damage caused by his or her Assistance Animal beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that it charges other individuals for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. The owner's living accommodations may also be inspected for fleas, ticks or other pests if necessary as part of management’s standard or routine inspections. If fleas, ticks or other pests are detected through inspection, the owner will be billed for the expense of any pest treatment above and beyond standard pest management in the residence halls. Management shall have the right to bill the owner’s account for unmet obligations under this provision.
• Notify Management if Assistance Animal is No Longer Needed. The Animal is allowed as a reasonable accommodation only as long as it is necessary because of the owner’s disability. The owner must notify Management in writing if the assistance animal is no longer needed or is no longer in residence. To replace an Assistance Animal, the new animal must be necessary because of the Owner’s disability and the Owner must follow the procedures in this policy when requesting a different animal.
Removal of the Assistance Animal
Connextion Property Management may require the Owner to remove the assistance animal from the residence if:
• The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or causes substantial property damage to the property of others, including landlord’s property;
• The owner does not comply with the Owner’s Responsibilities set forth above; or
• The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the community. Management will base such individualized determinations upon the consideration of the behavior of the particular animal and resident on a case-by-case basis, and in consultation with the resident and other parties as appropriate. Connextion Property Management will not base this determination on speculation or fear about the harm or damages an animal may cause. Should the Assistance Animal be removed from the premises for any reason, the owner is expected to fulfill his/her housing obligations for the remainder of the housing contract.