Q: My landlord doesn't allow pets, but I need an ESA, can they deny me a companion animal?
My landlord doesn't allow pets, we live in a duplex, we have our own backyard, and he doesn't want us to have pets. Recently my doctor said that I need an emotional support animal to help with my diagnosed depression and anxiety. Can my landlord deny me an ESA?
A: No, your landlord cannot deny you an ESA. You will need to get a "prescription" from a certified doctor that states that you can have a support animal. Then you will need to contact a local organization that adopts/sells certified support animals. Take this documentation with you to your landlord and advise him that he is required to permit you to have a service animal (without rent) under the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
