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  • 1.  emotional support animal letters

    Posted 03-12-2025 08:35 AM

    I am a licensed psychotherapist and able to provide letters for my patients that have emotional support animals.  According to the ADA, these letters state that the animal has to accompany the person at all times.  Some of my patients are running into landlords that are not honoring these letters and want the tenant and animal to leave or be evicted. Does anyone know how to combat this?  Thank you, Melissa Klaskin


    #PetSupportServices*

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    Melissa Klaskin
    psychologist
    Reducing Animal Stress
    CA
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  • 2.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 03-14-2025 10:14 AM

    That is a violation of the ADA and they should be able to take legal action against the landlord. In our area there is a non-profit called Pisgah Legal Services that does low cost/pro bono assistance to tenants dealing with Landlord issues.



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    Elsa Enstrom
    Helpline Coordinator
    Asheville Humane Society
    NC
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 03-18-2025 08:30 PM

    Hi Melissa, 

    Thank you so much for providing this much needed service! Elsa is absolutely right- your patients have rights! Please feel free to direct any individuals/families that need legal assistance our way by completing a legal aid request form here.  We serve LA County but can provide education/resources outside of our service area if needed. We can assist them with reasonable accommodation requests, communicate with the housing provider on their behalf, and help them file a complaint with the CA Civil Rights Department if necessary. 

    I'm including some fair housing / assistance animal resources below for additional information: 

    Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions regarding housing rights and assistance animals. 

    Best,

    Diana



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    Diana Cruz
    Program Director
    Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART LA)
    Los Angeles CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 03-19-2025 09:03 AM

    I'm not an expert but this is the information I was able to find when I was getting my ESA letter for my cat. From what I can remember, some housing/landlords do not have to allow ESAs if they meet certain criteria. I think this can vary by state but it was mostly targeted at smaller landlords. If they have fewer than a certain number of units. If they live in the home they are renting out. I think there are a few more but I can't recall them. They can also turn away an ESA if the animal would create a health hazard (if you are renting a room and someone else in the house is allergic) or if the animal is destructive/not suitable to live in the rented space (if you are trying to keep a miniature horse in an apartment for example). I'm in Virginia so laws may be different where you are, but this has been the information I was able to gather for my own ESA.

    ESAs do not have the same rights as service animals. The letter doesn't allow the person to keep the animal with them "at all times". They cannot take the animal into stores, restaurants, etc. The ESA letters only apply for travel/housing. They can definitely seek legal help if they are being denied by landlords. 



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    Jessica Clarke
    Chesterfield County Animal Services
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 03-19-2025 09:52 AM

    Hi Melissa, My colleague Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach is probably already someone with whom you're connected  yet best to make sure. Here's her social work hub on our website. Her email is socialwork@opendoorconsults.org. She has a free 3-part series on ESAs on our site if that is helpful to groups or any agencies with whom you work/network. Those are here. https://opendoorschool.thinkific.com/collections/recorded-webinars. Having you two connected is surely a good thing for response to push-back to the letters. Best, Heather



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    Heather Cammisa
    Chief Enterprise Officer
    Open Door Veterinary Collective
    CO
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 06-14-2025 01:21 PM

    Your patients are facing a common but serious issue that violates federal fair housing laws. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals and cannot discriminate against tenants with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against tenants with disabilities, meaning landlords cannot refuse to rent to a tenant with an ESA or treat them differently than other tenants. When landlords ignore legitimate ESA letters or threaten eviction based solely on the presence of an emotional support animal, they are violating federal law and can face serious legal consequences.

    The most effective way to combat this discrimination is to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under the Fair Housing Act, tenants file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which investigates housing discrimination claims and ensures that landlords comply with ESA accommodation requirements. Fair Housing Act and Emotional Support Animals: ESA Housing Laws Additionally, HUD has issued guidance stating that housing providers should respond within 10 days of receiving an ESA letter from a tenant and must engage in good-faith dialogue with tenants making ESA requests. The complaint process is free, can be filed online, and doesn't require hiring an attorney, making it accessible for your patients who are experiencing this discrimination.

    Also, it's important to note that there's significant misinformation circulating about ESA rights and requirements. You can view reddit discussion like at Are ESA Letter Websites Trustworthy? How to Get a Legitimate Emotional Support Animal Letter Online where lots of people are misinformed about these laws, which unfortunately contributes to the discrimination your patients are experiencing. I recommend providing your patients with official HUD resources and encouraging them to document all interactions with their landlords in writing. If landlords continue to refuse accommodation or threaten eviction after receiving a proper ESA letter, your patients should immediately file a HUD complaint to protect their rights and hold discriminatory landlords accountable.

    In another Reddit thread, there's interesting discussion about how to get an ESA letter through the internet and the viability of online ESA letter services. So many Reddit users report mixed experiences with online ESA letter services. Some describe successful encounters with legitimate telehealth platforms that connected them with licensed mental health professionals for proper evaluations. Interesting for sure!



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    amanda bandings
    ceo
    animal lover llc
    MO
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 06-27-2025 08:11 AM

    I actually went through something really similar, so I totally get your frustration.

    I have an emotional support animal and had a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed therapist, but my landlord still tried to tell me I had to get rid of my dog or move out. It was incredibly stressful - especially since my ESA helps me manage anxiety on a daily basis.

    What really helped me was getting my esa letter verified through RealESALetter.com. They not only made sure everything was legally compliant, but they also provided helpful info on tenant rights under the Fair Housing Act. I learned that landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals - even in buildings with "no pets" policies - as long as you have a proper letter from a licensed professional.

    Once I sent my landlord the updated documentation and included a formal accommodation request (I found a template online), they backed off. I think just showing that I knew my rights made a big difference.

    If they're still refusing after that, you or your patient can file a complaint with HUD. I haven't had to go that far, but it's an option.

    Hope that helps - you're definitely not alone in this.



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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: emotional support animal letters

    Posted 7 hours ago

    I actually went through this myself. The landlord kept mixing up ADA rules with Fair Housing rules and kept rejecting my ESA letter for no real reason. ADA has nothing to do with ESAs, but FHA does and the requirements are simple once you show them in writing.



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    Daniel Burr
    Operations Manager
    Little Ones
    MA
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    Original Message


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