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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Posts
    7

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    Okay, thanks. I know the “right” thing to do is to inform my landlord up front. It’s just that since I only have 30 days left, I’d rather avoid the particularly awkward conversation/email to management and just hold on to the letter if the topic comes up.

    My only other questions is, on all the ESA sites (and I think HUD said it somewhere, too) it said the person with the ESA letter should request accommodation from the landlord once receiving the letter and that accommodation also includes changes to no-pet policies. Is this saying I do have to inform them ahead of time, or just that I should?

    Also... on the topic of esa laws changing, Im not aware of any of this, or whether its true or not. However, I know my ESA documentation doesn’t hold up somewhere like a grocery store, as you mentioned it does. I only plan to use this ESA letter at my current no-pet apartment in my last month of tenancy.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    Quote Quoting Tsm
    View Post
    Okay, thanks. I know the “right” thing to do is to inform my landlord up front. It’s just that since I only have 30 days left, I’d rather avoid the particularly awkward conversation/email to management and just hold on to the letter if the topic comes up.

    My only other questions is, on all the ESA sites (and I think HUD said it somewhere, too) it said the person with the ESA letter should request accommodation from the landlord once receiving the letter and that accommodation also includes changes to no-pet policies. Is this saying I do have to inform them ahead of time, or just that I should?

    Also... on the topic of esa laws changing, Im not aware of any of this, or whether its true or not. However, I know my ESA documentation doesn’t hold up somewhere like a grocery store, as you mentioned it does. I only plan to use this ESA letter at my current no-pet apartment in my last month of tenancy.
    So your breaking your lease 3 months early and want to go the route of forcing the landlord to accept your ESA? Why not just wait until you move out?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    672

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    I don't see where the lease is being broken three months early, but I am curious where this support animal has been for the time Tsm has been living here. Of course, I also don't know how long Tsm has been living there, or what the ESA is species-wise. Not all ESA's are dogs.

    https://www.insideedition.com/headli...n-there-for-me

  4. #4

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    Quote Quoting Catmad
    View Post
    I don't see where the lease is being broken three months early, but I am curious where this support animal has been for the time Tsm has been living here. Of course, I also don't know how long Tsm has been living there, or what the ESA is species-wise. Not all ESA's are dogs.

    https://www.insideedition.com/headli...n-there-for-me

    https://www.expertlaw.com/forums/sho...944&highlight=

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    Quote Quoting Tsm
    View Post
    Okay, thanks. I know the “right” thing to do is to inform my landlord up front. It’s just that since I only have 30 days left, I’d rather avoid the particularly awkward conversation/email to management and just hold on to the letter if the topic comes up.

    My only other questions is, on all the ESA sites (and I think HUD said it somewhere, too) it said the person with the ESA letter should request accommodation from the landlord once receiving the letter and that accommodation also includes changes to no-pet policies. Is this saying I do have to inform them ahead of time, or just that I should?

    Also... on the topic of esa laws changing, Im not aware of any of this, or whether its true or not. However, I know my ESA documentation doesn’t hold up somewhere like a grocery store, as you mentioned it does. I only plan to use this ESA letter at my current no-pet apartment in my last month of tenancy.
    technically you have to request the accomodation. The landlord has a right to demand proof of need and benefit and can deny your request if the proof is not provided.

    As it stands, regardless what you have in hand, bringing your let into the apartment provides the landlord the grounds to give you a notice to cure or quit. If you simply ignore the demand he can proceed with eviction

    somewhere along the line it would be in your best interest to discuss this with the landlord ASAP. Until you do you are actually violating your lease.

    And no, it does not require a change to a no pet policy. A support animal is not considered a pet under the law. It is equal to a service animal regarding housing issues.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Posts
    7

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    I’m confused, you said it doesn’t require a change to the no pet policy under the law... but according to HUD’s website it does (with very rare exceptions that I know my landlord does not fit under). Where do you gather they are not required to make an exception for my ESA? HUD even states they will pursue legal action, at their expense and none of mine, if they discriminate and do not make an exception. Can you specify where you got this info?

    I also have emailed my landlord the letter from my doctor and requested accommodations. Am I supposed to wait for a reaponse? I know the only option is for them to make an exception but do I have to wait until that is granted even though I have sent in my documents proving my ESA.

    Quote Quoting Lill1
    View Post
    So your breaking your lease 3 months early and want to go the route of forcing the landlord to accept your ESA? Why not just wait until you move out?
    I could also spin this around as “it’s only 30 days, so why can’t my landlord make an exception for such a short timeframe — especially considering it is legally required AND for a documented medical condition.” I am not inconveniencing anyone by asking for a small exception that will only last about 30 days...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    Making a change to the policy and allowing you an exception to the policy are not the same thing.

    Making a change to the policy affects everyone in the building. Allowing you an exception to the policy only affects you.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Emotional Support Animal Letter to Landlord

    Quote Quoting Tsm
    View Post
    I’m confused, you said it doesn’t require a change to the no pet policy under the law... but according to HUD’s website it does (with very rare exceptions that I know my landlord does not fit under).
    There is no need for a landlord to include in a pet policy "This policy does not apply to ESAs or service animals" because neither ESAs nor service animals are pets. Pet polices only apply to pets.

    Allowing a tenant to have an ESA or service animal is not an "exception" to a "No Pets" policy, because the animals are not pets.
    Quote Quoting Tsm
    I also have emailed my landlord the letter from my doctor and requested accommodations. Am I supposed to wait for a reaponse?
    If the ESA letter meets the legal requirements, and your landlord is in possession of that letter and your request that the ESA be allowed to live with you in the apartment consistent with that letter, and your landlord does not have a basis to assert an exemption from the FHA in relation to ESAs, then you have invoked your legal protections under the FHA. It's up to you, whether or not you want to wait for your landlord to respond and to agree that your documentation and request are sufficient, or if you want to bring the ESA into the unit before you have a response from your landlord.
    Quote Quoting Tsm
    I could also spin this around as “it’s only 30 days, so why can’t my landlord make an exception for such a short timeframe
    Again, an ESA is not a pet. Pet policies thus don't apply to ESAs and there is no need for an "exception' from a no pets rule.

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