Ashton — Ch. 38 Human Relations § 38-37
Refusal to sell or rent because person has a guide, hearing or support dog
Operative Text
It is a civil rights violation for the owner or agent of any housing accommodation to: (1) Refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny property to, any blind or hearing impaired person, or person with a physical disability because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; (2) Discriminate against any blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of property, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or (3) Require, because a blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog, an extra charge in a lease, rental agreement, or contract of purchase or sale, other than for actual damage done to the premises by the dog. State Law reference-- Similar provisions, 775 ILCS 5/3-104.1.
Ashton Ch. 38 § 38-37 establishes that it is a civil rights violation for any housing owner or agent to refuse to sell or rent to a blind, hearing-impaired, or physically disabled person solely because that person has a guide, hearing, or support dog. The rule also prohibits imposing different terms, conditions, or privileges on such individuals because of their service animal. Owners and agents may not charge an extra fee for the presence of the dog itself, though they may seek compensation for any actual physical damage the dog causes to the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ashton Ch. 38 § 38-37, compliant housing operators treat applicants and residents who use guide, hearing, or support dogs the same as any other applicant or resident in all aspects of the sale or rental process. This means not declining to negotiate, not altering lease terms, and not adding surcharges to agreements simply because a service animal is present. Operators may, however, document and seek reimbursement for genuine, verifiable damage the dog causes to the premises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ashton Ch. 38 § 38-37 gives blind, hearing-impaired, and physically disabled individuals the right to seek housing without being turned away, charged extra fees, or subjected to different rental terms because they rely on a guide, hearing, or support dog. If a housing provider refuses to negotiate, imposes special conditions, or demands an additional deposit solely because of the service animal, that conduct may constitute a civil rights violation under this provision. Individuals who believe their rights under § 38-37 have been violated can explore options such as filing a complaint with a local human relations commission, contacting a tenant-rights organization, or consulting an attorney familiar with fair housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation