Emotional Support Animal Accommodation Request
Page last updated: August 22, 2026 · How we source & update
A written request asking your landlord to approve an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation under fair housing law.
Educational — information, not legal advice, and not attorney-reviewed.
When to use it
Use this when you have a disability-related need for an emotional support animal and your housing provider has a no-pet policy or pet fees you're requesting a waiver from.
What to include
- Your name, the rental address, and the date
- A statement that you are requesting a reasonable accommodation under fair housing law
- A description of the accommodation you're requesting, such as the animal living with you
- A reference to supporting documentation from a licensed professional, if your state requires it
- A request for a timely written response
- A note that you're available to answer reasonable follow-up questions
What to attach or keep
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare or mental health professional, if applicable
- A copy of your lease and any pet or animal policy
- Any earlier communication with your landlord about the request
- Notes on relevant dates and responses
Before you send
- Review your state and federal fair housing accommodation rules in the app before sending
- Share only the information required — you generally don't need to disclose your diagnosis
- Send it using a method that gives you proof of delivery, and keep a dated copy
- Let Renter Shield generate and customize this request, and track your landlord's response deadline
The letter
Everything in [square brackets] is yours to replace. Nothing is sent anywhere from this page — edit it here, copy it, and send it yourself however your lease says notices are given.
Deliberately no deadlines or dollar figures. Those are set by your state, city and lease, so this letter leaves them to you — your state page carries the sourced rule and its review status. This wording is a general-purpose draft, is not attorney-reviewed, and is information, not legal advice.
You can type directly in the box. Your edits stay in this browser tab and are not saved or transmitted.
When NOT to use this letter
- You are being asked for the animal's medical records, a specific certificate purchased online, or your full diagnosis. Stop and get advice — registration certificates sold online are generally not what the law requires and the demand itself may be improper.
- The request was already denied in writing. The next step is usually a fair-housing complaint, not a second letter.
- You want to bring the animal in first and ask later. Request first, in writing, and keep the reply.
Sending it and keeping the record
Sending. Send in writing and keep proof. Give a specific response date. If you are asked for more information, answer in writing too — the paper trail is the point.
Keeping. Keep: this request, delivery proof, any supporting letter from a provider (keep the original private), the landlord's reply or silence with dates, and the lease pet/policy clause.
Status of this wording: general-purpose draft, written by Renter Shield, not attorney-reviewed, no statutory deadline or dollar figure asserted. Rules vary by state, city, housing type and lease. Last updated September 3, 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.
Want the deadline tracked too?
The letter above is yours to use right now, free, with no account. The Renter Shield app can also keep your dated copy and photos together on your device — that part is optional. — free to start.
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