Welcome! If you’re a landlord, you’re in the right place.
You have some concerns about a new tenant or a future tenant with an Emotional Support Animal Letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Understood.
Therapetic is committed in helping landlords understand their rights and assist you in verifying your tenant’s letter without violating the Fair Housing Act.
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing.
What kind of documentation can I require from the tenant?
The tenant must provide documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, social worker, or other mental health professionals that the animal provides support that alleviates at least one of the identified symptoms or effects of the existing disability.
This requires more than a short note that says this emotional support cat or dog or any other type of animal makes a tenant feel good. Alleviating depression (if depression is a symptom of the mental condition, or the condition itself) is a function of an emotional support animal and should satisfy the requirement.
