Get Your Legitimate ESA Letter with ESA Doctors

1) What does the ESA letter contain? Does it reveal details about my condition?

Your ESA letter establishes that you have a mental or emotional disability for the purposes of the Fair Housing Act and that an ESA would alleviate symptoms of that disability. Details about the diagnosis or severity of the disability do not need to be disclosed.

Landlords cannot request medical records or a medical examination. The letter will be on your professional’s letterhead and be signed and dated. The letter will also contain your professional’s licensing and contact information so your landlord can verify their credentials.

2) What rights does an ESA letter give you?

An ESA letter gives you the right to live in residential buildings that typically do not allow pets. If you have a valid ESA letter, your pet is legally considered an assistance animals and is exempt from pet rules, including pet rent, fees, and deposits. ESAs are also exempt from breed, size, and weight restrictions.
Most types of housing providers, including rental apartments, condos, co-ops, and HOAs have to accept ESA letters.

3) I have an ESA letter, do I need a certificate, license, ID card, or vest for my ESA?

No, you do not need to register your ESA! An ESA letter is the only necessary and acceptable documentation to both qualify and prove an emotional support animal as such.

4) Can I use my ESA letter to take my ESA to a grocery store, restaurant, or hotel?

No, an ESA letter only grants you housing rights. It does not grant ESAs access to public areas where animals are prohibited. Hotels are not obligated to accommodate ESAs, but some will do so anyway if presented with an ESA letter. It is best to check to see what your hotel’s policy is regarding ESAs.

5) How do I know that the person who wrote my ESA letter is qualified to do so? My landlord says a physician or doctor needs to write the letter, is that true?

An ESA letter must come from a healthcare provider that is actively licensed for your state. That includes professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, social workers, and licensed counselors, among others. Physicians are also capable of writing ESA letters, but most ESA letters are not from physicians, nor are they required to be. ESA Doctors works with a range of licensed professionals who are familiar with the benefits of ESAs.

6) Will my ESA letter be as valid as one obtained through a therapist seen in person?

Yes! The U.S. Department of Housing has acknowledged that licensed professionals who work remotely, including online, can provide legitimate ESA services. Remote therapists are an invaluable resource for individuals who have difficulty finding a therapist in person, have limited financial means, have scheduling difficulties due to school, work, or family obligations, or have phobias or anxieties about seeking help in person.

7) When do ESA letters expire?

ESA letters for housing technically do not expire, but some landlords will insist on a more recently dated letter if the ESA letter they are given is very old.

8) Do I get an ESA letter before or after adopting my emotional support animal?

You can adopt an ESA before or after obtaining your ESA letter. Your ESA can also be your existing animal companion. The ESA letter will make a recommendation for the number and type of ESA (i.e., dog, cat, bird) but not for the specific animal you will use.

9) Can my ESA letter cover more than one emotional support animal?

Yes, some tenants require the presence of two or more emotional support animals. As long as your healthcare professional agrees, one ESA letter can cover multiple emotional support animals. You do not need a separate letter for each emotional support animal.

10) Does my ESA letter need to be notarized or contain a perjury statement?

No, HUD guidelines made clear that ESA letters do not have to be notarized. It is enough to have the healthcare professionals ink or digital signature on the letter. In addition, healthcare professionals do not have to make statements under penalty of perjury in the letter. These rules were designed to prevent landlords from putting up unnecessary additional obstacles for tenants who submitted signed and valid ESA letters.

11) Do I need a hard copy of my letter?

No, we will provide a digital copy of your ESA letter, which you can use immediately. You do not need an original or “wet ink” signature on your ESA letter. Your ESA letter will contain your provider’s contact and licensing information which anyone can use to verify their credentials. If you wish to have a hardcopy for any reason, we can accommodate your request.