To create this guide, we consulted with a range of experienced real estate professionals across the country—brokers, agents, and property managers who’ve worked directly with renters navigating the housing market with emotional support animals (ESAs). Their insights offer a behind-the-scenes look at what actually works when it comes to securing housing with an ESA—from search strategies and documentation tips to red flags to avoid. Whether you're renting for the first time or facing new challenges with a landlord, this guide is built to give you real, actionable advice from the people who help make housing decisions every day.

Why This Guide Matters: The ESA Housing Gap

Renting with an emotional support animal (ESA) can feel like navigating a maze. Even though federal laws protect your right to live with an ESA, many renters still face resistance from landlords, confusion around the rules, or even outright denial. The gap between what’s legal and what actually happens during the housing process is wider than most people realize.

That’s why this guide exists. It’s here to bridge that gap—equipping you with the practical tools, legal knowledge, and expert insights you need to find housing confidently and avoid unnecessary conflict. Whether it’s decoding listing language, choosing the right time to disclose your ESA, or knowing what documentation to provide, this guide aims to give you a smoother path forward.

What Is an ESA—And What Isn’t?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an assistance animal that provides therapeutic benefit to someone with a mental or emotional disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs don’t need to be trained to perform specific tasks. Their main role is offering comfort, stability, and support simply by being present.

However, ESAs are not the same as pets, therapy animals, or service animals:

• Pets are companion animals without any legal protections in housing.
• Therapy animals visit hospitals or schools to provide comfort, usually under the guidance of handlers.
• Service animals are specially trained to assist people with disabilities and are protected in public places like restaurants, stores, and transportation.

ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act, meaning landlords must make reasonable accommodations to allow them—even in “no pet” housing—if you have a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.

Realtor-Backed Advice for ESA Renters

We asked experienced real estate professionals to share their best tips for renters with emotional support animals. From where to search to how to present your ESA documentation, these insider insights can help you navigate the housing process with more confidence and fewer surprises.

1. Research Tips for Finding Housing for Your ESA

Anyone looking for housing in the 21st century is likely to start their search online. Big name listing sites like Zillow or Redfin offer 100’s of potential places for you to live. While these sites can be appealing, experts actually suggest that you may have better luck elsewhere.

“One piece of advice that I could give is for tenants to look beyond big name listing sites like Zillow or Redfin” says licensed real estate agent Sergio Aguinaga, who is also CEO of Michigan Houses for Cash. The reason? Most of the listings on big name sites are from large management companies that can be harder to work with than local independent landlords. 

“Independent landlords like me tend to be more flexible with pets than big management companies” - Andrew Lokenauth (TheFinanceNewsletter.com)

Some good places to search for  more flexible independent landlords include: Facebook housing groups, Craigslist, or other more community-based marketplaces that provide housing listings. Another more scrappy solution is just cold calling local property management companies:

“Calling property management companies and asking if any of the rentals are pet friendly is also advisable” - Sergio Aguinaga

2. What to Look for During The Research Process

The process gets a little trickier once you’ve chosen your research platform of choice. What should you actually be looking for? If you are reading this article you are already one step ahead of the competition:

“Finding a truly pet-friendly rental isn’t just about luck—it’s about knowing where to look and how to present yourself effectively.” - Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Real Estate

A first step is making use of site filters and searching for terms like “dog friendly” or “pet friendly”. Pet friendly properties are less likely to push back on you having an ESA, even though an ESAs are permitted in “no pets allowed” housing. Although, at least one Realtor goes against the grain on this advice:

“Searching specifically for 'pet-friendly' listings can actually work against you. In my experience managing properties in NYC & Tampa, I've found it's better to search for quality rentals first, then negotiate the pet situation. Many of my best tenants with ESAs got their apartments this way.” - Andrew Lokenauth

It’s important to consider what’s important to you, as an ESA owner you are not limited only to pet friendly properties, so if that perfect apartment isn’t listed as pet friendly don’t hesitate to submit an application.

One final, and less conventional, tip comes from Wesley Kang, who has experience with luxury real-estate. He suggests that “wellness-focused” buildings are also more accepting of emotional support animals.

“When I spot properties advertising meditation spaces or mental health amenities, I know my ESA clients will face less resistance.” - Wesley Kang

3. Using a Broker/Realtor Can Speed Up The Search

Unsuprisingly, the realtors we reached out to suggested that using a broker or realtor can be a huge help in finding housing for you and your emotional support animal. Need convincing? Here are some good points they made:

1. Realtors already know which properties are/aren’t pet friendly, no need for you to waste your time searching alone.
2. “It’s not just about whether pets are 'allowed'—you want to know if the management has experience with ESA letters” realtors have an inside scoop on whether property management or landlords have previous experience with ESAs.

Point 2 is likely the biggest advantage to using a realtor in the search for housing with an emotional support animal. Jon Wade, Broker & Owner at The Steamboat Group in Colorado sums it up nicely:

A lot of landlords don’t list ESA acceptance up front. I recommend working with a local Realtor® who knows which property managers are open to emotional support animals, even if the listing isn’t marked 'pet-friendly. - Jon Wade

4. How to Tell a Landlord about Your ESA

Actually telling the landlord or property manager about your ESA can be the most daunting part about looking for housing with an emotional support animal. Luckily the law is on your side, and you cannot be denied purely based on the fact that you have a documented emotional support animal. However, how you tell the landlord about your ESA can go a long way in making the process smoother.

Most realtors agree, you should disclose your emotional support animal and include documentation (an ESA letter) in your rental application, don’t wait until after you sign the lease. “I always recommend submitting the letter as early as possible, ideally with your rental application.” says Creative Director at Residence Supply - Steven Fernandez. Ultimately, honesty is the best policy, the experts agree that being up-front about your ESA letter will yield the best results.

Another good tip comes from Sergio, who suggests you keep all your communication in writing:

“Be sure to keep all communication in writing so it could be documented. I suggest emails to be used instead of text messages. If the landlord pushes back or asks invasive questions, remember that you are not obligated to explain your condition beyond what the letter confirms.” - Sergio Aguinaga

5. Be Prepared Ahead of Time With Documentation

If plan on starting your search for housing and you have an emotional support animal, stop, and make sure you have your documents in order first. Most importantly you need an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.

"The best ESA letters are current (within the last year), on professional letterhead, & from licensed healthcare providers in your state. Make sure your letter specifically states that you have a disability & explains how the ESA helps treat it." - Andrew Lokenauth

If your ESA letter is more than a year old, its worth considering getting an updated version from the clinician you saw previously before starting your housing search. A letter written within a year gives you the best odds of being accepted by a property manager or landlord. 

Other documents that are helpful to have handy are:

• A copy (or link to) The Fair Housing Act law on emotional support animals
• A reccomendation letter from previous landlords
• Proof of vaccinations/training/obedience for your ESA, if applicable

6. Know Your Rights as an ESA Owner

It’s extremely important that you know your rights as an emotional support animal owner so that you can effectively communicate your needs and protect yourself from discrimination. First, you need to know that ESAs are offered special protections for housing, written into federal law:

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords have to make reasonable accommodations for ESAs. That means they cannot charge you pet fees or deposits if you have proper documentation. An ESA is not a pet under the law—it’s a support animal, and that changes the rules. - Eric Bramlett

These rights are afforded to you and your emotional support animal so long as you have an ESA letter written by a licensed mental health professional that has assessed you personally. This is the only document required of you, and you arent required to reveal your specific diagnosis:

Landlords can ask for a legitimate letter from a licensed healthcare provider, but that’s it. They can’t ask for personal medical details, diagnosis, or anything beyond what the letter states. - Jon Wade

7. Red Flags to Look Out for on Your Lease

So you found a new place to rent with your emotional support animal, congratulations! But wait just a moment before you sign that lease agreement, it’s important to skim it over to make sure everything is prim and proper. Here’s what you should be looking out for:

• Pet addendums - an extra part added to a lease agreement that explains the responsibilities for having a pet in the rental property, even if you've already disclosed your ESA. Signing one could weaken your case if a dispute arises later on. - Sergio Aguinaga
• Sneaky language about 'pet inspection fees' or monthly 'pet monitoring charges' — these are often illegal for ESAs. - Andrew Lokenauth
• One red flag I’ve seen: clauses that throw ESAs in with general pet bans. That’s not compliant. Tenants should ask for clarification or addendum. - Andrew Reichek, CEO of Bode Builders
• Be cautious of clauses with extra charges, vague rules about breeds or sizes, or non-refundable deposits without clear explanations. - Eric Bramlett
• Watch for vague language about repairs, utilities, or move out dates, and make sure entry rights require reasonable notice. Photograph every scratch and stain on day one and attach those images to the move-in inspection form. - Rachel Stringer

8. How to Stand Out as a Good Tenant

Even if you find a landlord that’s more than happy to accept an emotional support animal, you still need to make sure that you present yourself as an appealing tenant. At the end of the day, even if landlords can’t deny you based only on having an emotional support animal, it doesn’t mean they have to accept you.

A strong application makes all the difference. A short letter from a previous landlord, your veterinarian, or even a trainer who vouches for your pet’s behavior can help a lot.

“A short letter from a previous landlord, your veterinarian, or even a trainer who vouches for your pet’s behavior can make a significant difference.” – Eric Bramlett

Your overall presentation matters, too. One expert suggests treating the housing application like a pitch—not a legal battle.

“Most ESA renters approach housing searches completely backward. Through years of luxury leasing, I think that the strongest approach is proving your value rather than just asserting your rights.” – Wesley Kang

This means showing—not just telling—that you’re a great tenant. If you’re meeting a landlord or property manager in person, consider bringing a small “tenant portfolio.” Include your ESA letter, basic care documentation, vet records, and even references from previous landlords. If possible, video proof of your ESA behaving calmly in a previous rental can also be persuasive.

“Presentation changes everything in documentation. When my clients bring professional portfolios to in-person meetings, showing both medical letters and detailed property care plans, I see instant shifts in manager attitudes.” – Wesley Kang

“One of my best moves involves creating video proof of ESAs behaving perfectly in previous rentals.” – Wesley Kang

At the end of the day, your ESA is an important part of your life—but landlords are focused on how you’ll treat their property. Showing you're responsible, organized, and respectful can go a long way.

“Treating ESA approval as a partnership, not a battle, opens more doors. Most people come in demanding rights while I see better results showing how responsible ESA owners often make the best long-term tenants.” – Wesley Kang

9. Start Off on the Right Foot

First impressions matter—even in housing searches. Too many ESA renters unknowingly make things harder for themselves by waiting to mention their ESA until the landlord says, “Sorry, we don’t allow pets.” By then, you’re already setting the tone for a potential conflict.

“Most good-natured tenants get caught up in telling the landlord that they have an ESA after the landlord has informed them that they don't allow pets in their home, thereby already setting up an adversarial relationship.” – Andrew Reichek

Instead, be proactive. Include your ESA letter in your initial application, and frame it as a way you’re responsibly navigating your mental health—not a demand. This approach can make landlords more open and cooperative from the beginning.

10. Don’t Try to “Trick” a Landlord

It might be tempting to hold off on mentioning your ESA or hope you can “fly under the radar”—but this strategy can seriously backfire. The best route is full transparency, backed by legitimate documentation. That means getting a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional who has evaluated you and prescribed the animal as part of your care plan.

“Make sure your ESA letter is legit. It has to come from a licensed healthcare provider, and it should explain clearly that the animal is part of your treatment plan.” – Steven Fernandez

Trying to outmaneuver or mislead a landlord can damage your credibility—and potentially put your housing at risk. Being upfront, prepared, and professional is your best bet for long-term success in finding a home for you and your emotional support animal.

Common ESA Housing Myths (Debunked!)

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about emotional support animals and housing. Let’s clear the air by busting some of the most common myths:

Myth #1: "If the listing says ‘no pets,’ I’m automatically disqualified."
Not true. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make exceptions for ESAs, even in no-pet properties, if you provide the right documentation.

Myth #2: "I don’t need to tell the landlord about my ESA."
Avoiding the conversation might seem easier, but disclosure—early and in writing—is always the best path. Hiding your ESA can create problems down the line.

Myth #3: "Any ESA letter from an online site is good enough."

Not all ESA letters are created equal. While many reputable providers (like Pettable) offer legitimate services online, some websites sell generic or non-compliant letters without proper evaluation. A valid ESA letter must come from a licensed mental health professional who is authorized to practice in your state and has personally assessed your need for an ESA. Always make sure the provider follows legal and ethical standards.

Myth #4: "My landlord can charge me a pet deposit or pet rent for my ESA."
Nope. ESA fees are not allowed. Your animal isn’t considered a “pet” under the law, so pet-related charges don’t apply.

How to Get an ESA Letter from Pettable

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If you’re starting your housing search and don’t yet have an ESA letter, Pettable can help you get one quickly, legally, and confidently.

Here’s how it works:

1. Take a brief assessment
   You’ll answer a few questions about your mental health history and why you believe an ESA could help you.
2. Match with a licensed clinician
   Pettable connects you with a licensed mental health professional in your state who will evaluate your eligibility.
3. Complete a consultation
   You’ll speak with the provider—either via phone or video—so they can determine whether an ESA is an appropriate part of your care plan.
4. Receive your ESA letter
   If approved, you’ll receive a legally valid ESA letter that meets Fair Housing Act requirements. You can typically get it within 24–48 hours.
5. Optional landlord support
   Pettable also offers verification and legal backing if your landlord has questions or challenges your ESA letter.
   *Additional fees may apply for your clinician to fill out extra paperwork or speak with your landlord

Having the right documentation in place from the start can make your housing search faster, smoother, and far less stressful.