Get Emotional Support Animal Housing Accommodation Request Form

(2) REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS. —To the extent required by federal law, rule, or regulation, it is unlawful to discriminate in the provision of housing to a person with a disability or disability-related need for, and who has or at any time obtains, an emotional support animal.

The Only Way an ESA Letter Can Be “Free” Is If You Already Have a LMHP. There is only one instance in which an ESA letter will be free: if you already see a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). A therapist you are seeing can issue your ESA letter at no added charge.

Under Fair Housing rules, ESAs are recognized as a type of assistance animal that is a “reasonable accommodation” for a person with a disability such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. ESAs are not considered normal pets under Fair Housing rules and are thus exempt from restrictions a housing provider may place on pets.

In California, individuals are, in most cases, allowed to bring an emotional support animal to work. An employer must make reasonable accommodations for support animals in the workplace. As long as the employee has a valid ESA letter, they are protected under California's Fair Housing and Employment Act.

A person, i.e. a buyer or tenant, with a disability or disability-related need must be allowed to keep the animal in his or her dwelling as a reasonable accommodation in housing. Additionally, they cannot be charged extra for the animal. In other words, you cannot charge a pet fee/deposit for an ESA.

Under this act, communities cannot discriminate against residents who have been prescribed a service animal or emotional support animal. The law supersedes all condominium rules and regulations, including restrictions on what types and sizes of animals are allowed.

Even if you have a no-pets policy, you cannot discriminate against a tenant with a service or emotional support dog. Remember, they aren't considered pets. As a landlord, you should try your best to make adjustments to your property to accommodate a support animal.

An ESA Letter is similar to a prescription for a controlled medication. You can't just write it yourself – it needs to be written and signed by a licensed physician or mental health provider. The other part of eligibility for an emotional support animal is the relationship between the ESA and your condition.

The FHA ensures that landlords cannot discriminate against tenants who have an ESA that helps them cope with their mental illness. Even if a tenant lives in a building with a “no pets” policy, the landlord must make a “reasonable accommodation” to allow for Emotional Support Animals.