Having an emotional support animal (ESA) can prove to be an invaluable asset for many individuals. The ability to have an animal at all times to comfort and calm our chaotic thoughts can help us get through the daily grind with a much more pleasant and peaceful disposition. But where are emotional support animals allowed to go?
If you have or are in the market for an ESA, you will need to have an understanding of where your stalwart companion will be able to go. This article will help make quick work of your concern by giving a comprehensive answer to the question: Where can ESA dogs go?
Where Can ESA Dogs Go?
Emotional support animals do not come with easy-to-follow guides, which can make it hard to know what your rights are when it comes to housing, travel, everyday shopping, and more. For those who do not want to cause a scene or draw attention to themselves, the fear of taking a support animal somewhere they don’t belong can paralyze certain owners.
To alleviate any undue stress, we will go over all the places your emotional support animal can access, from apartments to college dorms. For even more information on state and federal laws, you can check out this in-depth guide.
Homes, Apartments, Dorms, and Condos
In accordance with the Fair Housing Act, emotional support animals are not allowed to be rejected from apartments, homes, or other living situations across the country. This does not mean that you can bring your emotional support ostrich into a one-bedroom house, but it does grant protection from landlords trying to claim your animal as a pet.
Emotional support animals are not considered pets and may not be rejected even if a landlord has a no-pet policy. There are a few ways that your emotional support animal can be rejected, though these are very specific circumstances.
If you are found to have a fraudulent ESA letter, your landlord can reject it. Always do your research before agreeing to an ESA letter through a suspicious website, as scams do exist online. It can help to look up the credentials of any licensed mental health professional or the website they work with before agreeing to pay for an ESA letter.
If your emotional support animal causes a considerable financial burden for the landlord, they can be rejected. While this may seem hard to justify, certain locations can have significant increases in insurance rates from the inclusion of an animal. Similarly, any construction costs that would come from accommodating the animal will also be considered.
If the animal is too large for the dwelling, or if it is a type of animal that cannot be accommodated in the home, it can be rejected. If the animal poses a danger to other tenants or the landlord, it can also be rejected. Emotional support animals can be just about any domesticated creature you can think of, making some incompatible with most homes.
The last reason an animal can be rejected is if the landlord only manages four units or fewer and lives in one of the dwellings. The landlord must prove that he only rents out three homes, apartments, or condos and did not use an agent or broker when renting out the homes. If the landlord brings these reasons, ensure he can prove them before looking into other options.
Where Can ESA Dogs Go: A Brief Summary of The FHA
The unfortunate truth is that emotional support animals are still not given the recognition some feel they deserve when going into grocery stores or using public transportation. That said, when it comes to where you live and spend your time, they have quite a bit of leeway. Not only can you keep them in your home, but they can stretch their legs on complex grounds as well.
If you plan to take advantage of the Fair Housing Act, ensure that you get a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. While it is entirely possible to get an ESA letter online, do a bit of research about the site before paying them or even giving them your financial information.
If a landlord rejects you, it can only be for very specific reasons. If your ESA is too big, if it poses too much risk to other tenants, if the landlord only operates four units (while living in one), or if your ESA causes the landlord too much financial burden. Always verify that the landlord can prove their claim before giving up on a living situation, especially if it is a place you like.