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Scott Lorms with his emotional support dogs.

Lorms v. T & R Properties, Zahler Management

#W18-176 | Location: Pinckney | Court Level: Federal | Settlement: Non-disclosed

Categories: Mental / Emotional Disability, Rental
Tags: Dog, Emotional Support Animal, Reasonable Accommodation, Service Animal, Service Dog

Scott Lorms settled his lawsuit based on disability discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit alleged that T & R Properties and Zahler Management denied him the right to rent an apartment with his emotional support animals (ESAs). Mr. Lorms has a disability as defined under the Fair Housing Act.

Scott Lorms with his emotional support dogs.

According to the complaint taken by the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC), Mr. Lorms called T & R Properties on November 27, 2018, to inquire about a rental unit in Pinckney. Based on the size, location, and price of the duplex, Mr. Lorms thought the property was perfect for him and his family. The home was close enough to Ann Arbor to visit with friends and family and was a short commute to Mr. Lorms’ job in South Lyon.

Mr. Lorms alleged that after he explained to the agent that he had emotional support dogs – which are not considered pets under the Fair Housing Act – the rental agent ended the call because the company had a “no dogs allowed policy.”

Mr. Lorms then called the Fair Housing Center and filed a complaint. Testing by the FHC supported his claim. Mr. Lorms first elected to have the Fair Housing Center attempt to resolve the complaint without legal action; it was not successful.

Because they were denied housing, Mr. Lorms and his family had to rent more expensive housing that was much further away from his work, friends, and family.

Under the Fair Housing Act, it is unlawful to discriminate in the sale or rental of, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a disability of that buyer or renter. Discrimination is defined in the Act to include refusing “to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services” when necessary to afford a person with a disability an “equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.”

FHC Cooperating Attorney Francyne B. Stacey filed the fair housing complaint in U.S. Federal District Court on July 31, 2019. The case was assigned to the Honorable Nancy G. Edmunds. The case was resolved on February 11, 2020, for an undisclosed amount.

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