Finding a rental as a pet owner can be tricky. Many landlords do not accept pets and, more often than not, the ones that do have stringent rules on the types of pets they will accept. Some only accept cats, others only accept small dogs, and countless landlords implement breed restrictions. As a result, many renters are making their pets Emotional Support Animals to bypass pet restrictions.
What is an Emotional Support Animal and what are the benefits of making your pet one?
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) offers comfort and companionship to individuals who suffer from emotional or mental conditions. The benefits of making your pet an ESA is that they are accepted at all housing rentals under the Fair Housing Act and are allowed in the cabin of airplanes under the Air Carrier Act.
Who qualifies for an ESA and how can you get your pet ESA status?
To qualify for an ESA, you must have an emotional or mental illness as diagnosed by a licensed healthcare professional. This healthcare professional must write you a letter that identifies you as their patient, states that you have a disability, and specifies that your ESA helps you with your disability. The letter must be written on their letterhead and include their contact information, license number, and the date. The letter can’t be more than a year old and you must have it with you when traveling by plane with your pet or submitting rental applications for housing that is not pet friendly.
What about those websites that give you a letter to make your pet an ESA? If you don’t need an ESA, should you make your pet one anyway?
Many people who do not truly need an ESA opt to get letters through online websites so they have access to housing that would otherwise not be pet-friendly or so they can take their pets on planes with them. It’s very easy to get a letter through one of these sites. One of the biggest problems with this is that it puts all ESA’s under more intense scrutiny, making things difficult for people who actually need an ESA for medical reasons.
Additionally, some websites offer to send you a vest or add your pet to an ESA database. There is no federally recognized ESA database and ESA’s don’t need a vest for identification.
If you are a pet owner who doesn’t truly need an ESA, how can you find pet friendly housing?
There are plenty of ways to find pet-friendly housing without making your pet an ESA. Here are 8 tips to help you be successful in your pet-friendly rental hunt:
- Start your search ASAP – The more time you have to find rental options that accept pets, the higher your chances of finding something that is in your budget and fits your needs.
- Online search portals – Sites like Zumper can help you narrow your rental search to pet friendly housing through the use of filters.
- Use your network – See if your family or friends who currently rent and have pets have any suggestions on rental options for you. Sometimes they may know of an upcoming vacancy at their complex you may be able to jump on before the rental company starts advertising it.
- Avoid large rental companies – Unless you find a large rental company that allows pets, avoid trying to rent through them. You’ll have more luck negotiating pet friendly rentals if you opt for smaller rental companies or rentals owned by individuals.
- Offer a larger security deposit – Find a place you love but it doesn’t take pets? Talk to the landlord and offer to pay an increased security deposit to cover having your pet on the premises.
- Offer to pay “pet rent” – If offering to pay a larger security deposit doesn’t work, offer to pay an additional “pet rent” fee each month.
- Have references – Have previous landlords and roommates write reference letters about what a great tenant your pet is! Having people who can vouch for your pet increases the odds a new landlord will consider having them on the property.
- Have the landlord meet your pet – If the landlord still isn’t totally sold on allowing you to move in with your furry family member, suggest having him or her meet your pet. Sometimes seeing that a pet is well-behaved, non-destructive, and trained can help change their mind.
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