Do I have to pay pet fee if I have ESA?
Asked by: Mr. Tevin Prohaska | Last update: July 1, 2026Score: 5/5 (16 votes)
No, you generally do not have to pay pet fees, pet rent, or pet deposits if you have a legally documented Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and live in housing covered by the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Under federal law, ESAs are not considered pets, but rather assistance animals, meaning landlords cannot apply standard pet policies or fees to them.
Do you have to pay pet fees with an ESA letter?
Landlords cannot charge pet deposits or pet fees for emotional support animals (ESAs), as they are not considered pets under the law. It's established that waiving these charges is a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.
Does petscreening charge for ESA?
We provide a confidential and secure platform to submit your accommodation request for review. As part of the Services, you may submit a accommodation request for an assistance animal. Pet Screening never charges any fee to create an assistance animal profile or request accommodation.
How to waive a pet fee?
Present documentation for an emotional support animal
However, proper documentation or a letter from a licensed mental health professional can help persuade the hotel representative to waive pet fees during your stay.
Do apartments actually verify ESA letters?
Landlords are more than welcome to verify an ESA letter. The letters should come on the professional letterhead of the mental health professional along with their contact information, phone number, and email address. The letter will also include the therapist's license number.
Avoid Pet Deposit Fees & No Pet Policies with an ESA Letter
How can landlords get around ESA animals?
If a person is faced with a no-pets policy at an apartment or house, with the proper documentation (typically a letter from a licensed mental health professional that verifies the tenant's need for the ESA), landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for your support animal.
How to get around a no pet lease?
Show your landlord that you are a responsible pet owner. If you are able to come to an agreement, make sure to document the terms in writing. You can create a lease addendum or add a pet clause to your existing lease. It's a good idea to include the breed and size of your pet.
Can you have two ESA cats?
Yes, you can have two Emotional Support Animal (ESA) cats, but it requires specific documentation from a licensed mental health professional justifying why both are necessary. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords must consider reasonable accommodations for multiple ESAs if each provides a distinct, disability-related purpose.
Has Trump ever had a pet?
Donald Trump did not have any pets during his presidency (2017–2021), making him the first president since Andrew Johnson in the 1860s to have no pets in the White House. Trump stated he did not have time and felt that walking a dog on the White House lawn would look "phony" or staged, despite recommendations to get one for public relations.
Is a certificate of ESA good enough to not pay a pet deposit?
Know Your Rights If you have a valid ESA letter, your landlord cannot charge you pet fees, pet rent, or pet deposits—even if they normally charge other tenants with animals. That's because Emotional Support Animals are not considered pets under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
How many pets does an ESA letter cover?
An ESA letter can cover more than one pet, but there is no specific legal limit. According to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), you can have multiple ESAs, provided each is deemed necessary by a licensed mental health professional for a specific, distinct disability-related need.
Can a landlord evict you if you have an ESA letter?
You don't have to allow for exotic animals or animals that threaten the health or safety of other tenants. Any emotional support animal can be evicted if it is guilty of those things. No matter what type of ESA it is, the tenant is always responsible for their ESA's actions and any damage they might cause.
Is it worth registering your dog as an ESA?
Registering your Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal ensures you have the appropriate documentation to access the rights and accommodations legally afforded to you. Airlines, housing providers, and workplaces often require proof of your animal's role and certification.
How can I prove my dog is an emotional support dog?
A legitimate ESA letter also serves as a legal exemption from pet rent or pet deposits. An ESA letter must be provided by a licensed mental health practitioner to be considered legitimate, and must include the patient's name, date of birth, and confirmation of the patient's qualifying mental health disorder.
What is the 30% rent rule?
The 30% rent rule is a traditional financial guideline stating that you should spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income (before taxes) on housing costs, including rent and utilities. It is used to ensure you have enough money left over for other expenses and to avoid being "cost-burdened".
Is it legally required to disclose that I have ESA dogs?
As an ESA owner, you must provide your landlord with a legitimate ESA Letter for Housing or an emotional support animal letter. This is the only legal document that you must provide your landlord with. You do not need to disclose a medical diagnosis or further certification for your ESA.
What happens if I am put in the support group for ESA?
Support group - If it is decided at the work capability assessment that you have a limited capability for work-related activity, you will be put in the support group of claimants. If you are put in this group, you will not have to take part in work-related activities (although you can volunteer to do so if you want).
Are online ESA letters legit?
Yes, online Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters can be legitimate, but only if issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) after a real evaluation. Valid letters must come from a provider licensed in your state and must be on their professional letterhead. Many online services are "scams" that provide invalid, instant letters.
Where are ESA dogs not allowed?
ESAs are allowed in any rental residence, but they are not allowed on all flights or in all restaurants, shops, hotels, classrooms, or places of work. Ask permission before you bring an ESA to a place of worship or a medical office.
Why don't therapists do ESA letters?
Therapists often decline to write Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters due to ethical concerns about the validity of the request, lack of specialized knowledge, company policy restrictions, or liability insurance constraints. They may believe an ESA is not clinically necessary or that the process is prone to abuse.
How do dogs say "I love you"?
Dogs say "I love you" through behavioral cues like deep eye contact, leaning their full weight against you, and enthusiastic greetings. They also express affection by bringing you toys, cuddling, following you around, and licking, which acts as a bonding behavior.
Do landlords have to say yes to pets?
If a pet request is ignored or refused on an unreasonable basis, tenants may start court action against you. The court may then order you to allow the pet to be kept at the property. Where the landlord is the losing party in this case, the court would also order for the landlord to pay the tenant's costs.
Does having an ESA go on your record?
Thus having an emotional support animal when looking for a job shouldn't pose a problem at all. Companies and employer cannot ask about your medical history when interviewing your for a job. Your medical history is your private information and does not have to be shared with anyone.
What are the new federal rules on emotional support animals?
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are protected under federal law for housing only. They do not have public access or air travel protections. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) requires landlords to accommodate tenants with an ESA. It also prohibits pet fees, pet rent, and most breed or weight restrictions.