Making your pet an emotional support animal can save you thousands of dollars in pet fees in cities like New York, San Francisco, LA, Boston, and Seattle. If you have a valid ESA letter, your building can’t charge you pet deposits, monthly pet rent, or pet application fees. Already paid a pet deposit? You can get it back before your lease ends with an ESA letter.
The law is on your side when it comes to these savings. Under the Fair Housing Act, your ESA isn’t considered a pet — they’re an assistance animal, which means all those expensive pet fees don’t apply to you.
Getting set up is straightforward; you just need a signed letter from a licensed mental health professional who has verified your need for an ESA. Once you share that letter with your landlord, they have to accommodate your ESA without charging any of the usual pet fees or deposits, no matter what their standard pet policies are.