What Is an ESA Letter? Definition

What Is an ESA Letter?

An emotional support animal letter is a short document written by a licensed mental health professional stating that you have a disability-related need for the presence of your animal in your home. It is clinical documentation that supports a reasonable accommodation request to your landlord.

The law behind it is the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B). Your request can ask the housing provider to waive its pet rules for your animal, including pet deposits, monthly pet rent, pet fees and breed or weight restrictions. Since May 2026, HUD presumes such a request is reasonable only when the animal is trained to do disability-related tasks, so for an untrained ESA the answer can depend on your state and your landlord. It applies to apartments, condominiums, co-ops, HOA-governed communities and most university housing. Your diagnosis is never written in the letter and your landlord is not entitled to it.

Our letters are written so a landlord can actually verify them: clinician letterhead, license number and state of licensure, a direct way to confirm the license, the statement of need, your animal, the Fair Housing Act reference, and a dated signature. One limitation is worth stating plainly. An ESA letter covers housing. It does not create airline rights, because airlines have not been required to accept emotional support animals since the U.S. Department of Transportation rule change in January 2021, and it does not cover hotels, short-term rentals or public places.