Comments on: Guide to Renting an Apartment With an Emotional Support Animal

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:36:34 +0000

In reply to Leticia. Unfortunately there is nothing in California's ESA laws or federal guidelines that address whether a landlord can make this type of request. The rules are silent on this issue.

By: Leticia

Leticia — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 20:37:51 +0000

My ESA got approved after I signed my lease (I did mention to them having an ESA during the leasing process), the form they are saying I need to sign says my dog “shall’ be fixed and are trying to make it sound like it is mandated my ESA be fixed (it’s been a personal decision of mine not to fix her prior to me ever going through this process), I have had her for 4 years now, and I just moved into this HUD (low income apartment) in Jan. of this year. Can they make me fix my dog by making me sign that form. Their verbiage is my ESA is ” granted: Pending signing the service/companion animal addendum to the lease. Which means that to keep the animal in your unit and a part of your lease you must sign the Assistive animal policy. The assistive animal policy is a part of the lease and specifies the following: c. Assistive Animal shall be spayed or neutered No Assistive Animal offspring shall be allowed.

(I live in California, if that makes a difference)

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 15:38:56 +0000

In reply to Marissa.

Your landlord is entitled to see a final ESA letter for approval before allowing your ESA. However, many landlords will work with you if you are scheduled to receive a letter within the 30 day period. You might find this article helpful: https://esadoctors.com/do-i-have-to-wait-30-days-to-get-an-esa-letter-in-california/

By: Marissa

Marissa — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 02:51:02 +0000

In reply to Kelly Jones. I am in California and applying for an apartment with an ESA within the 30 days that is needed to get the letter. Can they accept me within the 30 days or do I have to wait until after the letter is received? Is there any needed documentation for that?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 04:38:30 +0000

In reply to Michelle.

You might find this article helpful: https://esadoctors.com/can-i-get-an-emotional-support-animal-after-i-move-in/

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 01:17:03 +0000

I don’t have an ESA pet yet but I’m looking at apartments and I’m planning to get an ESA dog in the future. Does a landlord have to allow my pet even if I get a dog after I sign the lease?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 13:28:43 +0000

In reply to Kathryn L.. ESAs are generally allowed in common areas where other tenants can go, such as lobbies and elevators.

By: Kathryn L.

Kathryn L. — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:37:57 +0000

My apartment is stating I can’t bring my pet in the common area despite being certified as an ESA. Is this legal?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 21:02:08 +0000

In reply to kurt.

The latest HUD guidelines prevent landlords from requiring special forms if the tenant has submitted a valid ESA letter. Please see this link for more details: https://esadoctors.com/hud-housing-rules-emotional-support-animals/

By: kurt

kurt — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:35:08 +0000

Maine – I applied for an apartment was approved and after the fact the property manager said they didn’t know I had a support animal even though I wrote in on the application where it asks yes/no for pets,and says not including service/support animals. I still wrote “support animal ” and had the last place I was living write on the sheet provided by the property manager where they asked about pets to write support animal. They are requesting I fill out their paperwork “request for accommodations”. I was under the impression I only needed to provide the letter from a medical professional. Or should I go through their process? They want verification from someone about temperament, vet records, proof of being registered with the town and their own form completed and returned from a medical provider.