Before You Send
Three Things to Do Before You Mail This Letter
Get your ESA letter ready
You need a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed clinical social worker). The letter should state you have a disability and that the ESA provides therapeutic benefit. Do not use "online certification" services — courts and landlords may reject these.
Document the denial in writing
If your landlord denied verbally or by email, save all records. If they denied verbally only, email them to confirm: "I want to confirm that on [date], you denied my ESA accommodation request." This creates a paper trail.
Send certified mail — keep your receipt
Mail this letter via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested. Keep the green card when it comes back. This proves delivery date — essential if you file a HUD complaint.
⚠ Educational template only. This letter is provided for informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed fair housing attorney in your state for legal guidance specific to your situation. Find free fair housing legal help →
The Template Letter
ESA Denial Response Letter — Copy and Customize
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]
[Landlord/Property Manager Name]
[Property Management Company Name, if applicable]
[Their Address]
Re: Response to Denial of Reasonable Accommodation Request for Emotional Support Animal — Unit [Unit Number], [Property Address]
Dear [Landlord/Property Manager Name],
I am writing in response to your denial of my reasonable accommodation request for an emotional support animal, communicated on [Date of Denial]. I respectfully inform you that this denial may violate the Fair Housing Act (FHA), 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B), and request that you reconsider.
My Federal Rights Under the Fair Housing Act
Under 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B), it is unlawful for any housing provider to refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations are necessary to afford a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.
Emotional support animals are not pets. They are assistance animals that provide necessary support to individuals with disabilities. As confirmed by HUD and federal courts, a "no pets" policy does not apply to emotional support animals. Charging pet fees for ESAs, or denying an ESA request without an individualized assessment, violates federal law.
Documentation Enclosed
Enclosed with this letter, please find:
— A letter from my licensed mental health professional, [Provider Name, License Type, License Number], confirming my disability-related need for an emotional support animal.
— [Any additional documentation you wish to include]
My Request
I respectfully request that you approve my reasonable accommodation request and allow my emotional support animal, [Animal Name, Species/Breed], to reside with me in my unit without pet fees, pet deposits, or pet rent.
Please provide a written response to this request within 10 business days of receipt of this letter. If I do not receive a response, or if you continue to deny this accommodation without engaging in the required interactive process, I may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at hud.gov/complaint at no cost to me. I may also contact a fair housing attorney to discuss civil remedies under 42 U.S.C. § 3613, which allows for actual damages, civil penalties, and attorney's fees.
I prefer to resolve this cooperatively. I am available to discuss this matter and provide any additional reasonable information you may require under the FHA. However, I cannot and will not pay pet fees for a disability accommodation required by federal law.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Sent via: USPS Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
Tracking #: [Tracking Number]
Enclosures: ESA Letter from Licensed Mental Health Professional
After You Send
What to Do After Sending This Letter
If your landlord approves →
Get the approval in writing. If they approve verbally, follow up with an email: "Thank you for approving my ESA accommodation request. I want to confirm in writing that my ESA will be permitted without pet fees, deposits, or pet rent." Keep this email.
If your landlord ignores you →
Document the non-response. If you don't receive a response within 10–14 business days, file a free HUD complaint. Failure to engage in an interactive process can itself be a Fair Housing Act violation.
If your landlord continues to deny →
File with HUD immediately. Also contact your state's fair housing enforcement agency and consider a consultation with a fair housing attorney. Many fair housing attorneys take ESA cases on contingency. Courts have awarded up to $1,000,000 in ESA discrimination cases.
Also file a report with us →
Add your case to the public record. Every documented case makes the pattern harder for landlords and courts to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
ESA Denial FAQ
Can my landlord deny my ESA if they have a no-pets policy?
No. Under the Fair Housing Act, emotional support animals are not pets — they are disability accommodations. A no-pets policy does not apply to ESAs. Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, which includes allowing ESAs even in no-pet buildings.
What should I do if my landlord denies my ESA accommodation request?
Respond in writing immediately. Send a formal letter citing your Fair Housing Act rights under 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B), attach your ESA documentation, and give the landlord 10 business days to reconsider. If they refuse, file a free complaint with HUD at hud.gov/complaint. Document everything in writing and send via certified mail.
What happens after I send an ESA denial response letter?
Your landlord must engage in an interactive process and respond within a reasonable timeframe (typically 10 business days). If they fail to respond or continue to deny, file a complaint with HUD (free), contact a fair housing attorney, or reach out to your state's fair housing enforcement agency.
Can I be evicted for having an ESA after sending this letter?
Retaliating against a tenant for exercising their Fair Housing Act rights — including filing a complaint or sending a formal accommodation request — is itself a federal violation. If your landlord threatens eviction or takes adverse action after you assert your ESA rights, document it immediately and include it in your HUD complaint.
Add Your Case to the Public Record
Thousands of tenants have been illegally denied ESA accommodations or charged illegal fees. Every documented case strengthens the pattern. File a free, confidential report.
File a Report →Also see: State ESA Laws · Landlord Checklist · Original Letter Template