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Did you know that approximately 19.1% of adults in the USA are struggling with an anxiety disorder? That’s a significant figure, right? With each passing year, there has been a rapid increase in the number of patients suffering from mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression to name a few.
It is very important to address your mental health conditions on time else it can have adverse effects on your overall well-being. It might be difficult to overcome your mental health challenges, but it is definitely not impossible. Seeking the right treatment at right time can help you a long way. One of the effective ways to get rid of mental health conditions is getting an Emotional Support Animal like a dog or cat.
ESAs, short for Emotional Support Animals are comfort animals that offer mental health benefits to patients suffering from mental health issues. From loving you unconditionally to offering mental support, and many more, ESAs are ideal for anyone suffering from an emotional and mental disability.
Also Read: 5 Amazing Benefits of ESA That You May Not Know
ESAs enjoy some privileges that pets may not have access to. For instance, if you have an ESA letter, you can fly with your ESA anywhere or they can live with you in the same accommodation. When it comes to living in a rental property, landlords have to arrange “reasonable accommodations” for the Emotional Support Animal Under the Fair Housing Act. But what this act is all about? Keep reading the blog to better understand the Fair Housing Act and also know about common reasons why a landlord can reject an Emotional Support Animal.
An Overview of the Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects tenants’ from getting discriminated against on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, and religion by landlords regarding housing. As per the law, every person has the freedom to live anywhere without facing housing discrimination.
This law protects people suffering from mental health issues from being rejected by landlords in case they have Emotional Support Animals. Furthermore, Emotional Support Animals are exempted from the no-pet policy and pet-related fees.
It means you can live with your Emotional Support Animal in any apartment or house even where animals are not allowed. However, you must have an ESA letter. Despite the law allowing Emotional Support Animals, landlords can still impose a no-pet policy.
Keep reading the blog to know various reasons why a landlord can deny an Emotional Support Animal.
Reasons a Landlord Can Reject an Emotional Support Animal
Take a closer look at the scenarios in which a landlord may reject your Emotional Support Animal.
1) llegitimate Documents
One of the main reasons a landlord may reject your Emotional Support Animal is in case your ESA letter is Illegitimate or fake. Though you have not done this deliberately, it might cost you to avail of the benefits of keeping an Emotional Support Animal.
Some of the reasons that your ESA letter may be rejected are
- The medical expert who issued the letter was not licensed or certified.
- You got the ESA letter from a fake website.
Having the right and legal documents is necessary if the apartment you are living in has a no-pet policy. So, make sure all the documents are authentic and approved by a medical expert.
2) Animal Poses Threats
Who would allow an animal that can pose potential safety risks to a landlord and other tenants?
Ensuring the safety of all the tenants is one of the top concerns of every landlord. If your Emotional Support Animal potentially threatens the well-being of other tenants, high chance that the landlord reject your ESA.
It is recommended to make sure that your ESA is well-behaved and safe for other people around. Furthermore, if you make your landlord believe that you can manage any form of aggression of your ESA, he might accept your request.
3) Health Reasons
Another reason that your landlord can reject your Emotional Support Animal is in case any of the tenants or landlord himself is allergic to animals.
Some people face respiratory issues or other allergies when coming in contact with animals. In such a scenario, not allowing ESA on the property is the best for people living on the same property.
4) Animal is Destructive
A landlord can reject your ESA which can cause potential damage to the property and can cause an undue financial burden. Whether small or large, property damage can take a big toll on financial health.
In case your animal is vulnerable to destructive tendencies like chewing wires, door jambs, or anything else, the landlord may reject your ESA.
You can avoid such a scenario by ensuring that your ESA is well-behaved.
5) Size of ESA matters
If your Emotional Support Animal is too big for the available accommodation, then good chances that landlord may reject your ESA.
Apart from that, the landlord can also reject your ESA, if the property is not ideal for the animal.
For instance, in case your ESA is a miniature horse and you live on the third floor. In such a matter, the sound of the horse’s hooves can discomfort other people staying on the first and second floors.
In The End…
Despite multiple reasons to reject your ESA, you can request your landlord to understand your mental health conditions and allow you to stay with your Emotional Support Animal.
However, if your landlord rejects your ESA without any valid reason, you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Above all, you must have an Emotional Support Animal Letter to travel or stay along with your animal. To get an ESA letter from a highly qualified medical health expert, contact My ESA Doctor. The team is always ready to help clients in the best way possible.
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