Emotional Support Animals

Tenants that have an emotional support animal to help with a disability are not subject to the pet policy.  We are aware there are many websites out there that you can pay a fee and have your animal “registered” as an emotional support animal and get and ID card or certificate that says so.  This does not provide you any legal rights however.  A true emotional support animal has been prescribed by a licensed mental health professional for someone deemed to have a disability.  We require a signed letter from a licensed mental health professional before we will waive the pet policy.  The letter MUST contain the following information:

  • Official letterhead
  • Full name and title of the licensed mental health professional (LMPH)
  • Name of the practice
  • Phone number of the practice
  • The type of medical license
  • Date the medical license was issued
  • The state of the therapist’s jurisdiction
  • The type of animal
  • Full name of the tenant/patient
  • Statement regarding that the tenant/patient is under the professionals care and how long they have been for.
  • Statement by the professional that the patient meets the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
  • Statement by the professional that they have prescribed an emotional support animal to help remedy/alleviate the disability or symptoms of the disability.
  • Signature of the professional and date.

Please note that while the law does protect the rights for people with a disability to have an emotional support animal without discrimination, it also states that the landlord does not have to allow a reasonable accommodation request that will cause them financial hardship.  As such certain behaviors are not permissible and are grounds for termination of the lease.  These include:

  • Excessive barking that may disturb other neighbors
  • Damaging the property (ex: chewing trim, clawing walls, urinating on carpet)
  • Allowing flea infestations
  • Leaving deposits on the lawn
  • Aggressive behavior towards other tenants and guests