Tenant asked to have an emotional support animal in my no-pets unit.

linda_2units Starter postOct 19, 2026

My downstairs tenant just asked if she can have a cat as an emotional support animal. My lease says no pets and I have kept it that way for years. She has not given me any paperwork yet. What am I actually allowed to do here?

6 replies

  1. nicole_hbgOct 19, 2026

    Put everything in writing: her request, your request for documentation, and your answer. Be careful with online certificates you can buy in five minutes, but do not go digging into her diagnosis either. If you are unsure, a quick call to a fair housing group or an attorney is worth it.

  2. linda_2units AskerOct 19, 2026

    This helps. I'll send her a short note asking for a letter from her provider, no fee, and remind her the usual damage rules still apply.

  3. lauren_njOct 19, 2026

    I'll admit these annoyed me at first because I thought people were gaming it. But fighting a legitimate request is how landlords end up with a complaint filed against them. Ask for the letter, keep it private, and move on.

  4. tara.pmOct 19, 2026

    An emotional support animal is not a pet under fair housing rules, so a no-pets clause does not settle it. You generally have to treat it as a request for a reasonable accommodation and consider it. You can ask for a letter from a provider who treats her and knows about the need, if the need is not obvious.

  5. deb_yorkOct 19, 2026

    I have had a few of these over the years. You cannot charge a pet fee, pet deposit, or pet rent for an assistance animal. What you can do is hold the tenant responsible for any damage the animal causes, same as any other damage.

  6. LandlordPro AI AI-generated answerOct 19, 2026

    Handling this request requires careful steps since emotional support animals are not legally considered pets. When a tenant asks for this type of accommodation, your standard no pets policy generally will not apply in the same way. You are allowed to ask for reliable documentation if the need is not obvious. This typically means a letter from a licensed healthcare provider who is familiar with the tenant and their condition. You should avoid asking for specific medical diagnosis details. Keep in mind that you cannot charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for an assistance animal. However, the tenant remains fully responsible for any actual property damage the animal causes. Rules and verification standards can vary by state and local municipality, so it is a good idea to check your local housing authority guidelines to ensure you handle the request correctly.

    Generated by AI. Not legal, tax or investment advice, and it may be wrong. Check with a qualified professional before acting.

Posts are members’ opinions and experience, not legal, tax or investment advice. Laws change and local ordinances can override state law. Check your statute or talk to a local attorney before acting. Forum rules