Emotional Support Dog Letter to landlord
Publish Date: January 4th, 2021; Author: Darren M. Jorgenson.
A dog is a loyal friend that provides endless love to humans and affection towards humans, and we humans, in return, offer them the same.
We share a special bond with our pets that is built-up of trust, companionship, and love.
For some people, keeping a companion is more like a blessing, while some people think owning a pet is more trouble.
Some landowners define their properties as a No pet policy zone, which means not every person is supposed to take their pet on their property. But emotional support animals have special rights that bypass these policies made by the proprietor, and all of this can be done by having an ESA letter.
So, what does it mean to have an ESA letter?
Having an ESA letter means that your pet is legally protected against all the policies either created by the landlord or by any air travel agency.
As defined by federal laws, An ESA letter is an official document that provides access to a person to be accompanied by a pet to get over their mental and emotional disabilities.
This letter certifies a person to stay or live on a rental property and lets you travel along with your Emotional Support Animal. If a person with an ESA lives on a rental property won’t need to pay any rental charges to the landlords who follow the No pet policy.
Fair Housing Law
Fair Housing Act(FHA) helps prevent landlords from discriminating against tenants with mental or physical disabilities. The Act protects legal access to the people who are mentally disabled as they require an ESA to get over their disabilities. Also, a person is not required to pay any extra charges for their pet.
How to get your ESA letter for housing?
- Apply Online: Firstly, you need to apply online by filling up your details on an online assessment form with precise information. Next, submit your details and proceed to the payment section.
- Get Evaluated Online: Once you finish service selection, your details will get evaluated online by the state mental health professionals.
- Receive an ESA Letter: After getting evaluated, you will receive your ESA letter instantly through Email. You can further save it for housing and flying services.
How to Inform Your Landlord of your ESA Letter
If you live on a rental property and pay extra charges for your ESA, you need to inform your landlords regarding your ESA letter certified by an LMHP.
Notify the Landlord
Firstly, you need to notify your landlords that you have a disability and need an assistance animal to get over your mental stability. While informing, you must mention the breed type, name, and how many ESAs you are keeping.
Share ESA Letter
After that, you must show your landowners the legit ESA letter. You can mail them or can provide them a digital copy, a hard copy.
Contact HUD
In case your landlord denies your ESA letter for housing, then you can contact the HUD(Department of Housing and Urban Development). This department governs the Fair Housing Act and can help you in resolving your concern. They also educate the landlord about the rights that you hold.
What a Sample ESA letter must include?
A legit ESA letter must:
- Be written on the letterhead of the state-licensed mental health professional.
- Must include the name and signature of the therapist.
- Date of issuance.
- The license number of therapists.
- Date of the license and state where it gets issued.
- The need for an ESA to treat the mental health of a person.
- Details of the Emotional Support Animal.
Conclusion
Well, while living on a rental property, if you are keeping any of the pets like a dog or cat to get over your mental issues, you must inform your landlord about your ESA. It is crucial for both the landlord and any individual to know about their rights.
FAQs
Ques 1: When Can a Landlord Deny Your Emotional Support Animal?
Ans: A landlord can deny your request for an Emotional Support Animal in case your pet seems to provide any:
• damage to the property, or
• causing disturbance or danger to the other tenants.
So, your ESA should be well-mannered and must not show unexpected behavior to others.
Ques 2: Can a landlord deny my ESA letter?
Ans: A landlord cannot deny your ESA letter, federal laws p[rotect individual owning ESA.
Ques 3: Can my landowner charge a pet deposit for an emotional support animal?
Ans: No, a landowner cannot charge any additional rent or demand any pet deposits for Emotional Support Animal.
Ques 4: Can a landowner ask for proof for my ESA?
Ans: Yes, a landlord may ask you for an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional only.
Ques 5: Can a landlord ask for my mental disability?
Ans: No, a landowner cannot ask for anything about your disability. Also, you do not have to disclose your medical information to your landlord.
About Post Author
Darren M. Jorgensen has a fondness for all animals, though dogs especially, have a huge home in his heart. He enjoys quilting, making handcrafted soap and bodyworks and anything that produces practical products. Jorgensen lives with his own service dog who doubles as an Emotional Support Animal. He gets it.
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