What Should I Do if My Landlord Rejects My ESA Letter?

Whether it’s your loyal dog or a calming cat, your ESA plays a vital role in your mental well-being.

That’s why federal law protects your right to live with your ESA—even in housing that normally doesn’t allow pets.

So what happens if your landlord says “No” to your ESA letter—even when it’s completely valid and provided by a legitimate service like RealESALetter.com?

Don’t panic. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to do, what your rights are under the Fair Housing Act, and how you can take action if needed.

✅ First: Make Sure Your ESA Letter is Legit

Your landlord has the right to ask for proof that your animal is an emotional support animal—not just a pet. That’s where your ESA letter comes in.

This letter must come from a licensed mental health professional and confirm that you have a condition that qualifies for an ESA under federal law. A legitimate ESA letter—like those issued through RealESALetter.com—will include the provider’s license details, signature, and confirmation that your ESA helps manage your condition.

But this isn’t just about protecting tenant rights—landlords also benefit when they fully understand ESA letters and the laws around them.

Tip: “When landlords are informed about ESA letters and their legal significance, it helps them avoid costly legal disputes and build more trust with responsible tenants. Understanding the process also allows them to distinguish between real and fake ESA requests.” — Read: How Can Landlords Benefit from Understanding ESA Letters by RealESALetter.com

Educated landlords are more likely to work with their tenants—not against them—when they recognize that ESAs serve a medical purpose and that valid documentation from platforms like RealESALetter.com follows legal standards.

Here’s what makes an ESA letter valid:

1. It’s written and signed by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP).
2. It clearly states that you have a mental or emotional disability and that your ESA helps relieve symptoms.
3. It includes the provider’s license number, date, and contact information.

If you got your letter from RealESALetter.com, you’ve likely gone through the proper steps, including a mental health screening.

So if your landlord is rejecting your letter, they may either be unfamiliar with the law or mistakenly believe they can refuse it.

Let’s look at what to do next.

📬 How is an ESA Letter Received by Landlords?

When applying for housing or already living in a rental unit, you’ll need to give your landlord a copy of your ESA letter. This can be emailed, uploaded through a tenant portal, or handed in as a physical copy.

Once your landlord receives the letter, they cannot ask for your diagnosis or additional medical documents. All they can do is verify that the letter is from a licensed provider and that it supports your request for reasonable accommodation.

Here’s what they can’t do:

1. Charge extra pet rent or deposits for your ESA.
2. Deny your ESA due to breed, size, or weight.
3. Ask for details about your medical history.

If the letter meets HUD’s legal standards, that’s all you need.

What to Do if Your Landlord Rejects Your ESA Letter

1. Stay Calm & Reiterate Your Rights

Let your landlord know (politely) that you are protected under the Fair Housing Act and have submitted a valid ESA letter. They may not be fully informed about the law, and sometimes a short conversation clears up the confusion.

Here’s something simple you could say:

“My emotional support animal is not a pet—it's part of my disability accommodation under federal housing law. I’ve provided a valid ESA letter from a licensed therapist.”

2. Resend the Letter if Needed

Some landlords may misplace or ignore the first email. Send it again, and if possible, provide some educational resources—like HUD’s official guidelines (linked below).

Tip: If your landlord needs to verify your ESA letter from RealESALetter.com, they can confirm the licensed mental health professional's credentials or request contact details—not your diagnosis. RealESALetter.com letters are issued by verified therapists and include all necessary information for legal compliance. — Read the full guide here: What to Do If Your Landlord Needs to Verify Your ESA Letter

🏛️ HUD's Guidance on Emotional Support Animals for Landlords

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has laid out clear rules about how landlords must handle ESA requests. These rules are meant to protect renters with disabilities—and that includes mental and emotional health conditions.

Here are some of HUD’s most important points:

1. Landlords must consider requests for emotional support animals as a disability-related accommodation.
2. They cannot charge extra fees or deposits.
3. They cannot deny the request based on the animal's breed, size, or weight.
4. They can only deny the ESA if it poses a direct threat to others or has a history of significant property damage.

📄 You can download and share the full HUD guidance PDF with your landlord here:

👉 HUD Assistance Animal Notice (PDF)

This document clearly spells out landlord responsibilities and tenant rights. It’s a great resource if your landlord is hesitant to approve your ESA letter.

📝 Keep Records of Everything

If your landlord continues to deny your request even after you've submitted a valid ESA letter and shared HUD's guidelines, start documenting everything:

1. Save every email or text.
2. Write down the dates of conversations.
3. Keep copies of your ESA letter and any responses.

This paper trail will help if you need to file a formal complaint or speak with an attorney later on.

How to File a Housing Discrimination Complaint

If your landlord still refuses to honor your ESA letter, the next step is to file a complaint with HUD. This process is free, confidential, and designed to protect renters like you.

Here's how to do it:

Go to the HUD complaint form page:

👉 https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint

Fill out the form with:

1. Your contact information
2. Your landlord’s information
3. A short explanation of what happened

Submit any supporting documents, like your ESA letter and written communications with the landlord.

Once submitted, HUD will review the case and may open an investigation. If they find that the landlord violated your rights, they can take legal action on your behalf or help resolve the issue through mediation.

Remember You Have Legal Protection

If your instant ESA letter from RealESALetter.com is valid, your landlord is legally required to accept it. The Fair Housing Act is on your side, and federal law makes it clear that emotional support animals are a form of disability accommodation—not just pets.

To recap:

1. Submit your ESA letter with confidence.
2. Re-educate your landlord if needed using HUD’s official guidelines.
3. Keep records of all communication.
4. File a HUD complaint if your rights are still being ignored.

You deserve to live in peace, with the emotional support you need. Don’t let confusion or pushback from a landlord stop you from standing up for your legal rights.