Do You Have to Tell Your Landord About an Emotional Support Animal
A tenant in Florida received an ESA letter from her psychotherapist due to mental health issues. The lease states,
Quote:
Quoting Pet fees
Except for animals assisting disabled or impaired persons, no pets may be kept in or on the premises without our written consent and payment of a $300 non-refundable pet fee.
Under that clause, can the tenant avoid telling the landlord that they have an emotional support animal?
Re: Do You Have to Tell Your Landord About an Emotional Support Animal
I would not recommend trying to keep it secret. The entire purpose of the ESA letter is to document to your landlord that you are in compliance with your lease. As you cannot be charged the pet fee if you are honest with your landlord, and cannot be evicted for having an emotional support animal, it makes sense to be honest rather than creating a context in which your landlord may view you as a liar and a schemer, particularly if you intend to keep living in the unit after your current lease expires.