Comments on: U.S. Department of Housing Issues New Rules for Emotional Support Animals

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:27:43 +0000

In reply to Aradia. That is not one of the approved reasons for denying an emotional support animal under HUD's latest set of guidelines.

By: Aradia

Aradia — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 01:11:27 +0000

Under HUD standards and rules and regulations can my landlord deny my ESA because it is not neutered or spayed ?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 01:30:55 +0000

In reply to Becca Smith. It's not clear to us why this would be a valid reason to reject an emotional support animal. Many owners have cats that are allowed to visit a backyard or balcony for example.

By: Becca Smith

Becca Smith — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:55:17 +0000

In reply to Skylar. I have a valid ESA from my therapist and when submitting it to my landlords they had denied my request with this written in the side “Cannot follow ESA guidelines. Cat has been outside.” He was always an indoor cat for years but would dash out when he saw other cats and we would struggle to get him back in. Is this a valid reason to be denied? I’ve tried googling, but I’m not sure what the guidelines he failed to meet. He is friendly and has never hissed or scratched at anyone so he is not dangerous. Is him sneaking out reason enough to be declined?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 17:29:27 +0000

In reply to Graciela. Landlords are not allowed to discriminate based on the dog's breed. Having to pay additional feels due to your need for an emotional support animal that other tenants are not subject to could be considered discriminatory. If your landlord treats your ESA differently because it is a danger to other tenants, they need actual evidence that is true.

By: Graciela

Graciela — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 16:50:53 +0000

Can my landlord require me to get additional renters insurance because they are considering my ESA an aggressive breed? I haven’t even disclosed the breed of my dog and they are basing this on a picture of my ESA that I provided.

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:45:17 +0000

In reply to Melody.

Most landlords do not make a request for a new ESA letter every year. However, it is a good idea to renew your letter once a year to keep it current. The licensed healthcare professional you work with may not be able to verify your ESA status if it has been a while since they last evaluated you. You can read more about renewals here: https://esadoctors.com/do-esa-letters-expire-how-to-renew/

By: Melody

Melody — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 03:58:37 +0000

Can a landlord ask every year for a new document of proof the animal is an esa after already giving it to them a couple of times?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 20:39:22 +0000

In reply to Ken Smith. HUD guidelines do not require any type of vest, scarf or other special identifying marker for ESAs. The crucial thing to have is an ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional.

By: Ken Smith

Ken Smith — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 00:22:37 +0000

Our high-rise HOA allows pets, but there is a height/weight limit for dogs. Nothing is required for ESA dogs within the limits. Over the limits, our rules require a letter from a professional on their letterhead per HUD guidance. Our rules also require ESA dogs, when in common areas, to wear a vest or scarf designating them as ESAs similar to our Service Dogs. To get around our rules, we have residents who falsely claim that their large pet dog is really an ESA. The vest/scarf rule helps those residents who do follow the dog rules understand why a big dog is allowed for one person and not for them. Is there anything in the FHA rules that prohibit our HOA vest/scarf rule?