ESA and service animals: housing rights
Fair-housing law generally requires landlords to consider reasonable accommodations, including for assistance animals, even where pets are restricted. Make the request in writing and keep records.
Educational — information, not legal advice, and not attorney-reviewed. Rules depend on your state, city, and lease; the app shows the verified rule for where you live.
What this means
Federal fair-housing law generally requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, which can include allowing an assistance animal even under a no-pets policy, and usually without a pet fee for that animal. Service animals and emotional-support animals are treated somewhat differently, and documentation rules vary.
A landlord can ask for certain limited verification in some cases and may deny a request only for specific, legitimate reasons. Because the details are technical, put your request in writing and keep everything.
What to do
- Make your accommodation request in writing.
- Keep supporting documentation organized and private.
- Save the landlord's response and any reasons given.
- If a reasonable request is denied, contact HUD or a fair-housing group.
Your rights vary by state
The specific deadlines and limits are set where you live. Start with your state:
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