If you want to bring your pet into your apartment or house, you’ll need to get permission from your landlord.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are animals that provide comfort to their owners. They can be trained to assist people who suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, autism, and other conditions.
Many landlords don’t allow ESAs because they believe they can cause damage to property. In some states, landlords can even evict tenants for having an ESA.
If you’re thinking about bringing a pet into your rental home, it’s important to understand what the law says about this in your state.
What Are My ESA Rights As An Owner Under The Fair Housing Act?
In apartment complexes with “no pets allowed” policies, housing providers are required to provide what is referred to as a “reasonable accommodation” to allow dogs and cats who assist individuals with disabilities to live in the building with them.
Breed and weight restrictions don’t apply for assistance or service dogs, and emotional support dog owners aren’t required to pay pet deposits or any pet fees.
But the wording of the Fair housing act specifically states that the reasonable accommodation landlords are legally required to provide for tenants with disabilities is within reason.
As an EAS owner, you can expect your landlord to make reasonable accommodations for you and your assistance dog, even if there is a no-pets policy.
An unreasonable accommodation could be demanding a more expensive apartment for you and your EAS, with a balcony and additional space, without paying the added costs.
You may bring your emotional support animal into your apartment complex if you have a valid letter from your doctor stating that your emotional support animal will assist you with your disability.
If you are bringing your emotional support animal into a public place, please ensure that you have a valid permit.
However, if your emotional support is a cocker spaniel, you should contact your local police department for information about permits.
Should I Tell My Landlord About ESA?
You should always tell your landlord about your Emotional Support Animal. Telling them before you move in gives them time to prepare, and it helps you avoid any potential problems later on.
You might think that by waiting until after you sign the contract to tell your landlord about your ESA, you won’t be rejected.
However, even though there isn’t an official rule against ESAs, many landlords still refuse to accept them.
If you wait until after you’ve signed the lease to tell your landlord about ESAs, you may face legal consequences.
Landlords are legally required to comply with the Fair Housing Act, which states that all housing providers must allow ESAs.
When you’re ready to tell your landlord about your emotional well-being pet, you can either talk to them verbally or send an email.
If you choose to write them a letter, please make sure to include all relevant information, including your ESA Letter for Housing.
When it comes to providing your landlord with your ESA letter, you need to make sure it’s written by a licensed mental healthcare provider.
If your landlord doesn’t accept your ESA letter, they may ask you to remove it from your rental application.
There are many reasons why a landlord might not allow your emotional support animal on their property, and here are some of the most common ones: If you need an emotional support animal, you will need to get a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed veterinarian.
You must also provide proof of a valid insurance policy covering the cost of treatment should anything happen to your emotional support animal.
How Do I Get Permission From My Landlord To Keep My Dog As An Emotional Support Animal?
In most states, if you have a disability and need an ESA, you must first apply with your doctor. Your doctor will then submit a certification form to your landlord on your behalf.
The landlord will then decide whether to approve your request.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you work with a professional trainer to teach your dog how to behave around other people.
This is called desensitization training. Some landlords require proof that your dog has been trained by a professional.
You may also need to show that your dog doesn’t pose any threat to others. For example, if your dog bites someone, you could lose your right to keep him as an ESA.
Some landlords may ask you to pay extra rent to cover damages caused by your ESA.
What Happens When I Move Out? Can I Still Keep My Dog As An ESA?
Most landlords won’t let you keep your dog as an ESA after you leave. However, there are exceptions.
Some landlords may agree to continue allowing your dog to stay if he was living with you at the time you applied for approval.
If your landlord refuses to allow your dog to remain, you should consider filing a complaint against them with your local housing authority.
Can The Landlord Charge More For My ESA?
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not covered under the Fair Housing Act. However, they are still subject to local laws and regulations.
Some cities and states require landlords to allow ESAs, while others prohibit them altogether.
Landlords must follow the same rules as other types of pets when it comes to charging rent or deposits. If a landlord allows ESAs, they are required to provide reasonable accommodations for their needs.
This includes allowing ESAs access to all areas of the property, including the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, garage, etc.
If a landlord prohibits ESAs, they must provide alternative accommodation options. These alternatives could include providing a quiet space, a designated area, or even a separate apartment.
The city or state will determine what constitutes reasonable accommodations.
What Does “Emotional Support” Mean?
An ESA helps its owner cope with mental health issues. These disorders can range from mild to severe.
Examples include panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder.
An ESA can help its owner deal with these conditions by providing companionship and helping them relax.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?
There are many reasons why people choose to use an ESA. Many people find that their pets make them feel better emotionally.
Others say that they enjoy spending time with their pets. Still, others say that they want to be able to provide emotional support for their family members who suffer from mental illness.
However, some people use an ESA for different reasons. They might use their pet to distract themselves from negative thoughts.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that using an ESA isn’t always appropriate. It’s up to you to determine if it’s right for you.
If you’re considering getting an ESA, talk to your doctor about what kind of benefits he thinks you’ll get from having one.
Final Thoughts
In most cases, you don’t need to disclose your ESA to your landlord. But if you do decide to disclose, you should be prepared to answer questions about how your pet is trained and cared for.
You also need to be ready to prove that your pet has special training and behavior requirements.
Hi, I’m Anna Granger and I have had my therapy dog, Bunny, for three years now. I have had a severe case of anxiety since my teenage years, so much so that I wasn’t leaving my house. I remained indoors for almost an entire year before my parents encouraged me to seek professional advice.
The result of that was Bunny - a 5 year old labrador who follows me around everywhere and is trained to detect when I’m about to have an anxiety attack. Through our three years together, Bunny can even sense when I’m feeling just a little bit anxious and work to calm me down.
