{"id":7167,"date":"2025-07-24T14:57:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T19:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/?p=7167"},"modified":"2025-07-28T03:20:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T08:20:21","slug":"when-can-a-landlord-legally-reject-an-esa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/when-can-a-landlord-legally-reject-an-esa\/","title":{"rendered":"When Can a Landlord Legally Reject an ESA?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have a mental health condition, you likely have heard about emotional support animals (ESAs). These animals comfort their owners through the companionship they provide. The routine required to care for an emotional support animal and their comforting presence can also ease someone’s symptoms. With their positive impact, many mental health professionals recommend emotional support animals to help those with a psychiatric disability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since emotional support animals are basically a prescription that’s recommended by a mental health professional as part of someone’s treatment, they aren’t treated the same as pets. Thanks to this, emotional support animals benefit from certain exceptions when it comes to housing, such as not being subject to no-pet policies. However, just because someone has an ESA doesn’t mean that they can live in any no-pet housing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing that there are limits to the housing protections given to emotional support animals, many ESA owners wonder when a landlord can legally reject an ESA. In this article, we will answer this question by taking a close look at what the law says about a landlord rejecting a tenant with an emotional support animal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emotional Support Animal Definition<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before we get to the circumstances where a landlord can legally reject an emotional support animal, let’s first define what an emotional support animal is in legal terms.<\/span><\/p>\n

An emotional support animal, also known as an ESA, is a type of support animal for people with a mental disability. These animals comfort their owners with their presence, and the routine required to care for them gives the owner a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of the house more often.<\/span><\/p>\n

To get an emotional support animal, individuals need an ESA letter written by a licensed mental health professional in their state. This letter confirms the individual has a mental disability and that an emotional support animal will benefit their condition, essentially “prescribing” them an emotional support animal as part of their treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, note that since ESA letters are issued by mental health professionals, it is up to them to decide whether someone needs an emotional support animal. Therefore, not everyone with a mental disability can get an emotional support animal. For example, a mental health professional might decide that an emotional support dog isn’t suitable for someone because the care involved might be a burden on their shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

With this to keep in mind, getting an emotional support animal requires visiting a licensed mental health professional, whether in person or online. If you choose the online route, always work with a credible licensed mental health professional or use reputable services to <\/span>get your ESA letter online<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

ESA vs. Service Animal<\/span><\/h3>\n

Service animals shouldn’t be mistaken for emotional support animals, as they have major differences. Here’s a quick overview of the differences between emotional support animals and service animals.<\/span><\/p>\n