Q: What do I need to do in order to inform a landlord about an Emotional Support Animal after signing a lease?
The pet clause in the lease is stated that there shall be no pets without written permission from the Lessor and that the lease is for humans only and no creatures other than homo-sapiens. It is a duplex and the landlord does not live the premises. I have a previous letter from one doctor and had just acquired a written note from my current doctor, which is written on prescription-like paper with the doctors office information in the header and signed by my doctor). My ESA is a cat which has all of his vaccinations (I have the records if needed) and is not destructive in any way.
A:
Notify the landlord that you have an assistance animal which complies with the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which require that landlords reasonably accommodate service and assistance animals for tenants with disabilities. Assistance animals are exempted from pet policies, as they are not considered pets. The landlord may not charge you a deposit, though you will be liable for any damage the cat causes.
Landlords can require written verification from your health care provider that the service or emotional support animal is needed. The landlord can also request copies of the cat's health records to prove the animal is in good health, parasite-free and immunized/vaccinated.
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