If you and your Licensed Mental Health Provider (LMHP) have determined that an emotional support animal (ESA) can help with the symptoms of your mental illness (such as anxiety or depression), you may be wondering about what rights you have. Having an ESA provides major perks, su [...]
This article was last updated on October 20, 2023, to reflect the updates in ESA regulations Understanding the laws surrounding emotional support animals (ESA) can be tricky. Is an ESA a pet, or is it a service animal? The truth is that an ESA falls somewhere in between, which me [...]
The short answer: Likely no, but there are times when a landlord can properly deny housing for a tenant’s ESA even if the tenant has an ESA letter. Example: a landlord can legally reject an ESA if the animal has caused significant property damage or there is evidence the animal i [...]
What does it mean? Some landlords do not have to comply with federal emotional support animal rules. The “Mrs. Murphy” exception exempts owner-occupied buildings with 4 or less units. An owner-occupied building may also be known as a live-in landlord. Where did it come from? "Mrs [...]
When to disclose: You are allowed to inform the landlord before or after you actually move in. It is not unusual for tenants to qualify for an ESA after signing a lease and moving in. Under HUD guidelines, landlords should consider a tenant’s ESA accommodation request no matter w [...]
You may have asked your doctor or therapist whether an emotional support animal is right for you. And, disappointingly, you may not have received the help you were expecting. An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal recommended by a licensed healthcare professional for a pe [...]
No. Landlords cannot charge ESA owners pet rent. Under federal and state housing rules, landlords are not allowed to charge any of the following to process a tenant’s ESA request: pet fee, pet deposit application fee Landlords are not allowed to charge pet fees rent or deposits f [...]
It's possible. Landlords have to consider a tenant's ESA request, even if it comes after signing the lease and moving in. If you signed a lease and moved into a no-pets building, you may still be able to bring home an emotional support animal. Many people qualify for an ESA after [...]
Yes, you can get your pet deposit back once your pet becomes an emotional support animal, and you will no longer have to pay any monthly pet fees. That's because, under HUD’s housing rules, ESAs are completely exempt from pet fees, pet deposits, and pet application fees. Re [...]
An ESA letter for an emotional support animal should include all of the following: Information about the healthcare professional who wrote itTheir license number, state of practice, contact information, and signature (digital is acceptable). Confirmation about your mental healthT [...]