How to Get a Housing Letter for Your ESA in 2026
- Published on:
- By: ASP Team
Are you looking for a supplemental or non-traditional way to manage your mental health struggles? Unsure where to begin? Here at American Service Pets, we have been advocating for the assistance of Emotional Support Animals and Psychiatric Service Animals for quite some time. We work with licensed healthcare professionals across the nation and, as experts in the field, are happy to break down exactly how to get a housing letter for your ESA in 2026!
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides comfort and emotional support to someone with a diagnosed mental or emotional condition. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks, but they offer therapeutic benefits that help people manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, and more.
ESAs are covered under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) — meaning a valid housing letter for your ESA allows you to live with them in most rental properties, even if the building has a “no-pets” policy.
Get Your ESA Today
ATTENTION
Due to the new Department of Transportation (DOT) policy, Emotional Support Animals are NO longer allowed to fly in airplane cabins for free. However, Psychiatric Service Dogs are eligible.
How to Get a Housing Letter for Your ESA in 3 Simple Steps
Take our Qualification Quiz
The first step to getting your housing letter with American Service Pets is to take our simple online assessment. It only takes a few minutes, and it determines if you qualify to move forward in the ESA letter process.Meet with a Qualified Mental Health Professional
You must have a legitimate evaluation with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), such as a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or similar provider licensed in your state.Discuss Your Mental or Emotional Needs
During your consultation, your provider will assess whether your emotional support animal genuinely helps with your disability-related symptoms.Receive Your Official ESA Housing Letter
If you qualify, your provider issues a letter stating that you have a disability and that an ESA is a necessary part of your treatment.
An important note: Some states (specifically California, Montana, Arkansas, Iowa, and Louisiana at the time of publishing) require you to have a 30-day relationship with a provider before they can write you an ESA letter. American Service Pets can help support you in this process, but make sure you know the laws around ESAs and service animals in your state.
What Your ESA Housing Letter Must Include
For the letter to be legally valid, it should contain:
✅ The provider’s name, license type, license number, and contact information
✅ Your full name and confirmation that you are under the provider’s care
✅ A statement that you have a disability as defined under federal housing law
✅ A recommendation for an emotional support animal as part of your treatment
✅ Official letterhead and the provider’s signature and date
Tip: Letters are generally renewed annually to remain current and avoid unnecessary delays with housing providers.
Everything You Need to Know About ESA Housing Letters
Can I Use My Current Pet as an ESA?
Yes. If your pet provides meaningful emotional support and you qualify under a provider’s assessment, your existing dog or cat can become your ESA.
Do Landlords Have to Accept ESA Letters?
Yes — under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for ESAs. They cannot refuse housing simply because you have an ESA if you submit a valid ESA housing letter.
Some landlords may request the letter in writing — email or tenant portals are fine. Documentation beyond the letter (like medical records) cannot be required.
What Can (and Can't) Landlords Ask About ESAs?
While landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for emotional support animals, they do still have rights under the Fair Housing Act.
Landlords may:
- Request a valid ESA housing letter from a licensed provider
- Verify that the letter appears legitimate and current
- Deny accommodation if the animal poses a direct threat to others or causes significant property damage
Landlords may NOT:
- Ask for details about your diagnosis
- Require medical records
- Charge pet rent or pet deposits for an ESA
- Impose breed, weight, or size restrictions
- Require ESA “registration” or certification
Basically, landlords cannot deny an accommodation request if you have a housing letter for your ESA. If a qualified mental health professional prescribes the letter, it cannot be rejected. However, landlords still do have some rights as outlined above. This balance helps protect both tenants and housing providers while ensuring fair access to housing.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Housing Letter for Your ESA?
The timeline to receive an ESA housing letter can vary depending on the provider and state requirements.
In most cases:
- Initial consultation: Same day to a few days
- Evaluation review: 1–3 business days
- Letter delivery: Often within 24–48 hours after approval
Some states may require an established provider relationship, which can extend timelines. Planning ahead is always recommended — especially if you are moving or renewing a lease.
How Long is a Housing Letter Valid?
Most housing providers expect annual renewal to verify that your need for an ESA is ongoing. A current letter also helps prevent disputes or delays.
ESAs vs. Service Animals
| Feature | Emotional Support Animal (ESA) | Service Animal |
|---|---|---|
|
Requires task training |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
|
Public access protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
|
Protected under the Fair Housing Act |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Note that ESAs do not grant broad public access rights the way service animals do, as they are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) like service animals. ESAs, for example, do not get fees waived when flying while service animals (including Psychiatric Service Animals) do.
Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal in 2026?
To qualify for an emotional support animal, a person must have a mental or emotional disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This determination must be made by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP).
Conditions that may qualify include (but are not limited to):
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- PTSD
- Panic disorders
- Social anxiety
- Phobias
- OCD
- Stress-related conditions
It’s important to understand that having one of these conditions does not automatically guarantee approval. The provider must determine that your emotional support animal meaningfully helps alleviate symptoms related to your condition.
Are Online ESA Letters Legitimate?
Yes, rest assured, getting an online housing letter for your ESA from American Service Pets is completely legitimate, as we ensure that our letters meet federal requirements.
A valid ESA housing letter must:
- Be issued by a licensed mental health professional
- Be based on an actual evaluation (not an instant approval)
- Include proper licensing information
- Be personalized to the individual
What doesn’t count:
- ID cards alone
- Certificates that don’t include a provider evaluation
If a website claims you can get an ESA letter without speaking to a LMHP, that is a red flag.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Securing a Housing Letter for Your ESA
Many housing issues arise not from denial — but from misunderstandings. Common mistakes include:
- Submitting expired ESA letters
- Using letters without proper licensing information
- Assuming ESAs have public access rights
- Waiting until after a lease violation to disclose an ESA letter
- Using online “certificates” that don’t involve a provider assessment in place of an official ESA letter
Avoiding these mistakes can save time, stress, and housing complications.
Important Legal Notes
ESA letters do not provide automatic public access rights — only housing accommodations.
Some states (like California, Montana, Arkansas, Iowa, and Louisiana) may require a prior provider relationship before a letter can be issued — always check your local guidelines.
Avoid websites offering “certification” in lieu of a proper evaluation and licensed letter. Only a letter from an LMHP counts legally.
Protecting Your Housing Rights in 2026
An ESA housing letter is more than paperwork — it’s a legal safeguard that allows individuals with emotional and mental health conditions to live with the support they rely on.
Understanding how ESA letters work, what landlords can request, and how to stay compliant ensures a smoother housing experience and helps prevent unnecessary disputes.
Think an ESA letter would help you and your furry friend? Get started today in just a few minutes with our ESA qualification assessment.
Where Can I Find More Resources or Information on ESAs?
Emotional Support Animals are an incredible, sometimes overlooked non-medical coping tool. We’ve dedicated multiple blogs to the benefits of Emotional Support Animals. Here are a few to start with if you’re new to the idea of ESAs and want to learn more.
Emotional Support Animal Blog Round-Up:
-Cuddling a Pet Reduces Stress
Need Assistance?
American Service Pets has a network of mental health professionals that can help answer your questions. You can call or chat with someone to get your questions answered.
The benefits of an Emotional Support Animal certification and a Psychiatric Service Dog certification are drastically different. Fortunately for you, American Service Pets’ network of active board certified doctor or other licensed mental health providers can help you find the right path to certification. To find out whether you need an ESA or PSD letter, take our easy, three-step Pet Owner Survey!
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