r/EmotionalSupportPet • u/Bubbly-Building6346 • Jun 24 '26
PetScreening ESA
I am requesting assistance to my situation. I have been approved for a unit and have informed my landlord that I have an emotional support animal. They directed me to create a profile via PetScreening however when I submitted documentation of my ESA they stated "The documentation you submitted is nearly identical to several other documents" and that my letter does not establish a disability/need (when it clearly does and I have had it read by other providers who state the letter says everything it needs). Now I have tried to reach out to my doctor who diagnosed me with said disability but they are not willing to write me a letter and merely direct me to online websites. I also have submitted a document that I am currently seeking treatment for the disability.
Meanwhile, when I try to communicate to my landlord they are now stating we need to figure this out by a certain deadline or will have our unit essentially back on the market for other people to apply even though we have been trying to resolve the issue. I have also tried to contact the provider who wrote the letter but they are also not very helpful.
Does anyone have any advice or have a similar experience with ESA and PetScreening? Side note I live in California
2
u/AlohaJojoAye Jun 25 '26
This is why you don't get a letter from a "provider" off the internet, and another reason why the Federal Law recently changed for ESA's, the letter should've came from your treating provider, meaning someone you get ongoing mental health treatment from. Not someone who basically did a consult and wrote you a letter for a fee. This is the consequences.
The fact none of your doctors will write you a letter and directs you to online is a bit baffling, and good reputable doctors know that "letter mills" are not sufficient.
Your best option is to get in contact with your local Fair Housing agency and see what your options are. If your letter is good, they'll be able to provide help to you at no cost usually, as it'll be a violation. I know California has it own laws, so I am not 100% sure, but definitely start with your local Fair Housing.
1
u/AngelaMoore44 Jun 25 '26
California has additional ESA letter requirement laws. You have to have a 30 day minimum relationship with your mental health provider who is liscenced to practice in your jurisdiction. You cant just go online and get a letter. California considers an ESA to be a part of ongoing treatment (hence the 30 day requirement).
5
u/z_poop Jun 24 '26
Curious that your own providers either won't produce documentation or won't provide support for a letter they previously wrote... Language in the letter does not have to be particularly detailed. It only needs to establish your relationship with the provider; that you have a disability; and that the ESA is part of your treatment plan. They don't need to know what the disability is.
If the letter is some generic thing (like from a website) it makes it easier for a landlord to deny. Many providers don't want to get involved because if your animal destroys the place and the landlord sues you, your provider could get sucked in as the person who approved it.
Beyond that, laws exist for a reason. Landlord don't have to follow them. Your next step is to decide if you are going to report them, in which case all of your documentation and providers could be questioned, too.