An emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that provides comfort and relief to a person with a mental or emotional disability.
An ESA letter is an official document confirming the animal is more than a regular pet, and it is recommended as a treatment by a licensed professional.
ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA is a federal law that obliges landlords to ensure reasonable accommodations for ESAs, even in rentals with no-pet policies, and it exempts owners from paying pet deposits and fees.
Landlords are permitted to read and verify ESA letters without being intrusive. The ESA letter for housing confirms the person has a disability but does not disclose the exact diagnosis as it is private.
According to the Fair Housing Act, landlords are permitted to deny ESAs if they are dangerous to other tenants, cause property damage, or pose undue financial or administrative burden.
Owner-occupied properties with no more than four units and single-family homes sold or rented directly by the owner without an agent are absolved from the FHA.
Landlords who wrongfully deny ESAs with valid ESA housing letter documents are looking into legal consequences. Denied owners have the right to contact an attorney for ESA consultation for housing rights or file a complaint with the HUD.
1. Consult with a Mental Health Professional
Consulting with a licensed clinicians, specifically a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) in the state is the foundation of getting a legally valid ESA letter for housing.
Potential ESA owners have the right to find a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), request the letter to their current therapist or physician, and schedule an in-person visit or request telehealth consultation via online ESA service providers.
The second option is preferred due to its practicality. The consultation is conducted via phone or video call. During the consultation, the LMHP evaluates the candidates and decides whether an ESA is beneficial for the applicant.
2. Understand the Requirements
Understand the official ESA requirements and align your expectations with state and federal laws. Getting an ESA letter for Housing has two conditions.
The first condition is suffering from a mental or emotional disability. Anxiety, phobias, autism, age-related cognitive decline, ADHD, PTSD, and schizophrenia are among the ESA-qualifying disabilities.
The second condition is having a licensed professional in your state of residence to confirm the diagnosis, prescribe an ESA, and issue a legally valid ESA letter.
3. Obtain the ESA Letter
Receive the ESA letter electronically or in a hard copy. Most online ESA services send a PDF version of the emotional support animal letter immediately after being approved.
The electronic file is printable. Alternatively, ESA services send a hard copy of the ESA letter via mail.
Hard copies are sent upon request and usually take between one and two business days to arrive, depending on the location.
4. Provide the Letter to your Landlord
Give the printed and current ESA letter to the landlord, rental owner, or property manager for review.
They have the right to read and verify the ESA letter but they are not permitted to be intrusive and ask for details about a patient’s specific disability and/or their medical history.
Explain the situation to the landlord and discuss potential concerns they have. Be understanding and try to find mutually agreeable solutions, but also be aware of your rights under the FHA.
Why Get an ESA Letter for Housing through CertaPet?
The reason why you should get an ESA letter for housing through CertaPet is because CertaPet is the best online ESA service platform, offering legitimate, reliable, and fast ESA letters.
CertaPet’s ESA letters are 100% law-compliant in all US states and Canada and are issued by licensed mental health professionals. The letters are legitimate and valid.
The company was the first in the industry to create a tele-health network of licensed clinicians. CertaPet is reliable, and since it started, it has helped more than 65.000 pet owners get telehealth consultations with LMHPs in their respective states.
Getting ESA letters through CertaPet is reasonably quick. It takes one or two days to schedule the consultation, after an initial screening, and approved applicants are given their ESA letters within one or two days.
The process of getting approved for an ESA letter and receiving the letter is fast and simple. CertaPet offers ESA letters in three steps, including free pre-screening, telehealth consultation, and acquiring the ESA letter. With an overall turnaround time of less than five days, CertaPet offers a fast ESA letter.
The steps on how to get ESA letters for Housing through CertaPet are listed below.
- ESA Pre-Screening: Take the free and hassle-free pre-screening test that involves several mental health questions to check whether you qualify for an emotional support animal.
- ESA Consultation: Get in touch with a mental health professional licensed in your state. The communication is completed via phone or video calls.
- Receive your ESA Letter: Receive a printable, PDF version of the ESA letter online or require a hard copy. The hard copy is mailed within one or two business days.
CertaPet's Quick and Easy Process for ESA Letters for Housing
- Free online assessment. A quick online screening test determines whether an ESA is a good fit for the applicant. The test is free of charge and takes only a few minutes.
- Consult with a therapist. CertaPet automatically searches for a mental health professional licensed in Wisconsin with whom a patient will conduct their teleconsultations from the comfort of your own home.
- Get your ESA Letter. The CertaPet ESA letter provided by the LMHP is accessible online or is mailed directly to your address.
CertaPet Free Screening Test
Take our free screening test and find out in as little as 5 minutes.
What is an ESA Letter for Housing?
An ESA letter for housing is an official document that confirms to landlords that an owner’s animal is more than a pet and has an ESA status. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, rodents, and other species* are all potential emotional support animals.
The housing ESA letter confirms a person has a mental disability without disclosing the specific diagnosis. The letter clearly states that a licensed mental health professional recommends an emotional support animal as part of the treatment plan.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) obliges landlords to provide reasonable accommodations to ESA owners even if the rental properties have no-pet policies. A housing ESA letter is mandatory for the FHA to protect the ESA owner.
The ESA letter for housing purposes must not be older than 12 months. Presenting old ESA letters to housing providers is suspicious. Landlords have the right to request new and updated ESA letters.
*CertaPet exclusively prescribes dog, cats, and rabbits as ESAs.
What is the need for an ESA Letter for Housing?
The need for an ESA letter for housing is to ensure legal protection under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all types of housing transactions,” explains the United States Department of Justice. It was enacted in 1968.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) allows ESA owners and their emotional support animals to live in rentals even if they have no-pet policies. The FHA, at the same time, exempts ESA owners from paying pet-related fees, such as rent, taxes, or deposits.
An ESA housing letter is required for owners to certify from the FHA benefits. ESA letters for housing are obtained from reputable services that connect potential owners with mental health professionals, or from patients’ current therapists and physicians.
The importance of the ESA letter is to prevent landlords from discriminating against people with mental or emotional disabilities and to ensure reasonable accommodation in all housing options.
Where can ESA Housing Letters be used?
ESA housing letters can be used in the housing options listed below.
- Apartments
- Rental homes
- Co-Ops
- Condominiums
- Home Owner Association (HOA)
A valid ESA letter trumps rentals' no-pet policies and exempts owners from paying pet-related fees, such as rents and taxes. The ESA letter for an apartment is the same as the ESA letter for a condominium. The only difference is where the ESA owner uses the document.
Certain smaller landlords are not required to accept ESA letters because they are absolved from the FHA. Examples are single-family homes sold or rented by the owner and owner-occupied properties with less than four units in total.
Who can Write ESA Letters for Housing?
All licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs), physicians and physician assistants can write ESA letters for housing. Licensed professionals have the right to write and sign emotional support animal letters after live (in-person, over the phone, or via an online video call) evaluation.
The goal of the evaluation is for the clinician to determine whether the applicants have medical or mental conditions that qualify for ESA therapies.
Some states mandate that the applicant and LMHP are in contact for at least 30 days before they are permitted to issue ESA letters. Examples include Arkansas, California, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana.
The mental health professionals qualified to write ESA letters are listed below.
- Licensed therapists
- Psychiatrists
- Physicians
- Licensed social workers
- Licensed nurse practitioners
- Licensed counselors
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
How Much Does an ESA Letter for Housing Cost?
An ESA letter for housing costs anywhere from $100 to $200. The exact price varies based on the provider.
The average cost of ESA letters is between $149 and $200, depending on how many letters you’re trying to obtain and for which purpose. CertaPet offers bundles to get ESA or PSD letters for housing and travel for $199.99 and a single letter for housing or travel for $149.00.
Amendments can be made for $19.99. CertaPet prices are competitive and in line with our competitors.
Always research different online ESA services and compare prices to find the best option. Some providers are cheaper than others, but the quality of the service is worth considering, too.
Is it Important to Verify an ESA Letter for Housing?
Yes, it is important to verify an ESA letter for housing. Proper ESA letter verification ensures compliance with the Fair Housing Act. Rejecting valid ESA letters has legal consequences.
Landlords are advised to verify the validity of ESA letters by reading them and confirming the credentials of the LMHPs who issued the documents.
The emotional support animal letter must contain certain information about the patient, the need for an ESA, and the licensed health professional.
Landlords are allowed to verify the authenticity of ESA letters for housing, but they must respect the tenants’ privacy and not ask questions about their conditions and medical histories.
What should an ESA Letter for Housing Contain?
An ESA letter for housing should contain the following.
- Patient Details: A valid ESA letter must contain the patient’s details, primarily the name and last name, age, and current contact information.
- Diagnosis Statement: A brief diagnosis statement is mandatory. ESA letters do not disclose the patient’s diagnosis in detail but must confirm that a diagnosis exists.
- ESA Recommendation: In the ESA letter, the mental health professional must clearly recommend an ESA as part of the patient’s treatment plan.
- LMHP Credentials: The ESA letter is written on the LMHP’s official letterhead and lists his/her professional credentials, license number, state of practice, and signature.
How Long is an ESA Letter for Housing Valid?
An ESA letter for housing is valid for 12 months.
Landlords can request to see updated ESA letters when signing new leases. Similarly, certain states, such as Arkansas and California, require yearly ESA letter renewals.
The consensus, therefore, is that ESA letters are valid for one year and then must be renewed. A valid and updated ESA letter shows that a person has an ongoing mental condition qualifying for an emotional support animal. ESAs owners can request a new ESA letter up to a month before its expiration date.
Do I Need to Renew My Housing ESA Letter Every Year?
Yes, you need to renew your housing ESA letter every year.
House providers have the right to order annually updated ESA letters each time the tenant signs a new lease. The requirement is legitimate as long as it does not discriminate against the ESA owner.
Yearly ESA letter renewal helps prevent misunderstandings and disputes between ESA owners and landlords. Most companies selling ESA letters online impose a one-year expiration limit and advise renewals every year.
How does the Fair Housing Act (FHA) Protect ESA Housing Rights?
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects ESA housing rights by ensuring accommodation. This federal law obliges landlords and housing managers to provide reasonable rental options to all, including ESA owners.
Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), ESA owners are permitted to live in rental housing options with no-pet policies. The FHA recognizes ESAs as more than regular pets and exempts their owners from pet fees and rent.
The FHA for emotional support animals prevents discrimination against people with mental and emotional disabilities. ESA owners are protected under the FHA as long as they have valid ESA letters.
How to Convince a Landlord to Allow an ESA?
The tips on how to convince a landlord to allow an ESA are described below.
- Have a currently valid (no older than 12 months ago) ESA letter written and signed by a licensed professional in the state with you and present it to the landlord.
- Learn about ESA owner rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and be prepared to discuss those rights with the landlord while remaining calm and respectful
- Openly ask the landlord about potential concerns they may have and try to find mutually acceptable ways on how to resolve them
How to Handle Landlord Resistance to ESA Letters?
The instructions on how to handle landlord resistance to ESA letters are given below.
- Document All Interactions. Try documenting all interactions with the landlord when possible. Be formal and respectful but also aware of your rights as an ESA owner.
- Ask for a Formal Rejection Letter. Require the landlord or property manager to write and send a rejection letter in which they clearly state the reasons why they are denying the ESA.
- Respond to the Rejection Letter. Consult with your therapist and formulate a response to your landlord to resolve the denial. Most denials are the result of misunderstandings or lack of education and training on what is required. It is always worth to have a "good faith" dialogue to resolve issues.
Here at CertaPet our team of highly trained professionals will be able to help you in case of rejection. - Consult a Fair Housing Attorney. If denials persist, you may have to consult with fair Housing Act advocate or attorney. Pease reach out to your therapist and they will be able to help you find resources if needed. Our therapists at CertaPet are prepared to deal with landlord rejections, so generally this step is not necessary. However, the CertaPet team is well equipped to assist you every step of the way.
What are Common Mistakes to Avoid when Getting an ESA Letter for Housing?
The common mistakes to avoid when getting an ESA letter for housing are listed below.
- Wrong Animal: Dogs are the most popular ESAs, but other species can make good emotional support animals. Choose the type of ESA that is beneficial to you but also adaptable to the environment.
- Lack of Training: Invest time and effort in training the ESA. Emotional support animals do not need specialized training, but basic obedience is preferred. Failing to train the ESA leads to potential disputes with other tenants.
- Property Damage: Do not allow the emotional support animal to misbehave and cause significant property damage. Landlords are allowed to deny ESAs with valid letters if they pose undue financial burdens.
Is it Possible to Get a Free ESA Housing Letter Online?
No, it is not possible to get a free ESA housing letter online. Websites offering free ESA letters are looking to scam people.
Legitimate companies selling ESA letters have networks of mental health professionals licensed in different states. Creating and sustaining such networks is expensive and affects the pricing of ESA letters, moreover these licensed clinicians need to be paid for the consultation that they have with patients.
ESA letters online are legit when purchased via reliable providers. Offers such as free ESA online letter issuance, ESA registration, and ESA certification are typical from fraudulent sites, thus fake and don’t hold any legal value.
Are Registrations Needed for Emotional Support Animals?
No, registrations are not needed for emotional support animals. There is no official registration process for ESAs, and national ESA registries are not recognized by the law.
Offers such as free ESA registration are red flags. Sites offering free registration for emotional support animals are usually scams. Other offers from scam websites are free ESA certification, which similarly is not required and legally valid, and free ESA paraphernalia, such as vests and ID tags.
The only official and legally recognized requirement for obtaining an official ESA status is to have an ESA letter written and signed by a mental health professional licensed in the state.
