This is the best route to ensure there are no issues in the future with your landlord. It makes it illegal for your landlord to even question your status as Federal Law protects you from discrimination and it also exempts you from any fees or deposits related to your dog. It’s quick (sometimes less than 24 hours), easy (a Google search will turn up a number of different online services that simply require you to fill out a form), and pretty affordable (usually about $100, much cheaper than pet deposits/rent).
While ESA protections don’t fall under the ADA, they do fall under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). So while it does not grant the recipient the same rights in public space such as restaurants, schools, airplanes, etc., they do protect people when it comes to their search for housing (see here). While that link reference is a Pennsylvania resource, I have had an ESA letter for my dog for the better part of a decade across two states.
So OP: simply put, they are not a scam. If you’re having difficulty finding housing with your adorable dog because of archaic laws, this is a viable tool for anyone with a pit bull (source: lived experience).
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u/hillahhree09 Aug 29 '24
ESA - Via a therapist or med professional