September 25, 2025

Introduction

Moving into a new home or renewing a lease can feel stressful enough. If you have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), you may also be wondering: “How do I give my ESA letter to my landlord without issues?”

The good news is: under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), you are legally protected. With a valid ESA letter from a licensed professional, your landlord must make a reasonable accommodation — even in buildings with “no pets” policies.

But how you present that letter matters. A clear, professional approach can prevent delays, misunderstandings, or pushback.

👉 In this guide, we’ll walk you step by step through submitting your ESA letter — including a ready-to-use template email you can copy and send.

🔗 Jump to a Section:

• What Is an ESA Letter and Why It Matters
• When to Submit Your ESA Letter
• How to Submit an ESA Letter to a Landlord
• Sample ESA Request Email Template
• How Landlords Typically Respond
• How to Handle Pushback or Denial
• Extra Tips for Smooth Approval
• FAQs About Submitting ESA Letters
• The Bottom Line

What Is an ESA Letter and Why It Matters

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) stating that your animal helps alleviate symptoms of a mental or emotional health condition.

It matters because:

• It makes your animal a reasonable accommodation under the FHA — not a pet.
• It ensures landlords must allow your ESA, even in “no pet” housing.
• It exempts you from paying pet deposits or pet rent.

Without a valid ESA letter, landlords have no obligation to accept your animal.

👉 Pro Tip: Make sure your letter is current (within the last 12 months), includes your provider’s license number, and is verifiable — landlords often check state license databases.

When to Submit Your ESA Letter

Timing can make the difference between a smooth approval and unnecessary back-and-forth.

✅ Best time:

• When you apply for housing, include your ESA letter with your application.
• For renewals, send it at least 30 days before your lease ends.

⚠️ Don’t wait until move-in day. That puts landlords on the spot and may delay your keys.

How to Submit an ESA Letter to a Landlord

There’s no one “legal format” for submission, but professionalism matters. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your documents
   • ESA letter (PDF or printed copy).
   • Optional: NSAR registration certificate/ID card for clarity.
2. Write a short request
   • Be polite, professional, and reference the FHA.
   • Attach your ESA letter.
3. Submit via email (preferred)
   • Creates a time-stamped record.
   • Allows landlord to forward it internally.
4. Follow up in writing
   • If you hand-deliver, ask for a signed acknowledgment.

👉 Always keep a copy for your records. This can come in handy should you ever need to file a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) complaint against a landlord.

Sample ESA Request Email Template

Here’s a copy-and-paste template you can use.

Subject: Reasonable Accommodation Request for Emotional Support Animal

Dear [Landlord/Property Manager],

I am writing to formally request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to keep my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in my residence at [property address].

Attached, you will find a letter from my licensed mental health professional confirming that my animal provides support that alleviates symptoms of my disability.

As you may know, the FHA requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This includes waiving any restrictions on pets, breed, size, or additional pet fees.

Please confirm that you have received this request and my ESA letter. I look forward to your acknowledgment.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

👉 Pro Tip: Keep the tone polite but firm. Avoid oversharing details about your condition — landlords are not allowed to ask for your diagnosis.

How Landlords Typically Respond

Most landlords will:

• ✅ Acknowledge receipt
• ✅ Approve your ESA request
• ✅ Waive pet fees and deposits

Some may:

• ❓ Ask for provider verification (to ensure the letter is legitimate). This is included at no additional cost with National Service Animal Registry‘s service.
• ❓ Request clarification if the letter is missing details (license number, date, etc.)

Rarely, a landlord may push back — which we’ll cover next.

How to Handle Pushback or Denial

If your landlord resists, stay calm and know your rights.

Common landlord objections & how to respond:

• “We don’t allow pets.”
  → “My ESA is not a pet. Under the FHA, it is a reasonable accommodation.”
• “We don’t allow that breed/size.”
  → “Breed and weight restrictions do not apply to ESAs under federal law.”
• “We require a pet deposit.”
  → “The FHA prohibits extra fees for ESAs. You may only charge for actual damages.”

If denial continues:

• 📝 Re-submit your request in writing.
• 📞 Contact HUD or your local fair housing office to file a complaint.

Extra Tips for Smooth Approval

• 📲 Use digital + physical copies → Send via email and keep a printed backup.
• 🪪 Pair with NSAR registration → A professional ID and certificate reassure landlords.
• 📅 Renew annually → Avoid delays by updating your ESA letter each year.
• 💬 Stay polite → A cooperative tone keeps the process professional.
  
  

FAQs About Submitting ESA Letters

Can a landlord refuse my ESA?
Only if your ESA poses a threat, causes major damage, or if you don’t have a valid ESA letter.

Do I have to tell my landlord my diagnosis?
No. The letter should only confirm that your ESA alleviates symptoms.

Can my landlord call my provider?
Yes, but only to verify license and authenticity — not to ask about your condition.

Can I be charged pet rent?
No. Pet rent, deposits, or fees cannot be applied to ESAs.

The Bottom Line

Submitting your ESA letter to a landlord doesn’t have to be stressful. With a valid, verifiable letter and a professional request, you’ll be protected under the Fair Housing Act.

To recap:

• Submit early with your application or renewal.
• Keep the request professional and brief.
• Use NSAR’s ESA letter services for legitimacy landlords can trust.
• Pair with a registration kit for smoother interactions.

👉 Ready to secure your housing rights? Start your ESA letter evaluation today with NSAR.