Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Registering your pet as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a great option for individuals with mental or emotional disabilities to ensure they can freely own and keep their pet in rental housing while avoiding pet-related deposits and fees. Inability to find pet-friendly housing or afford pet-related fees are some of the main reasons animals are surrendered to shelters. Obtaining an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional may help your pet stay with your family on the basis of the emotional support they provide.
Do I Qualify for an ESA?
Some states require a previous 30-day relationship with a licensed mental health professional, while others allow you to request a letter through many online options without an established relationship. Be aware that you do not need to “register” your pet with any federal or private registry and that proof of an ESA letter is sufficient to guarantee housing rights for you and your pet.
In order to register your pet as an ESA, you must obtain an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. In this letter, they identify your mental or emotional disability and recommend an ESA to assist with your symptoms. This may include depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar disorder, loneliness, or any other condition that affects your daily life.
Who Can Write an ESA Letter for Me?
How is my ESA Protected under the FHA?
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects ESA owners from all pet deposits, pet rent, and associated fees that may otherwise be required for pets by their landlord. It also prevents landlords from denying your request for housing based on the fact that you own your ESA. Landlords must provide a “reasonable accommodation” for individuals with ESAs to allow them to enjoy equal opportunity to housing free from discrimination or extra costs.
What is an ESA?
Emotional Support Animals are animals that provide emotional, cognitive, or other similar support to a person with a disability to assist them in managing the symptoms of their disability. Unlike service animals, they are not trained to assist with specific tasks, but they are similarly protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This ensures that tenants can live with their emotional support animal free of any pet fees or restrictions as long as they have acquired an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. Landlords are prohibited by law from rejecting or evicting a tenant purely on the basis that they have an emotional support animal.
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