Emotional Support Animals: What Landlords Need to Know

You’ve probably heard of emotional support animals, but you might not know that they aren’t just dogs and cats.

Photo credit: Yardi Breeze

Ever hear the one about the emotional support peacock that wasn’t allowed on a plane? If it sounds like a setup to a bad joke, it’s actually a real story that made national news.

You’ve probably heard of emotional support animals (ESAs), but you might not know that they aren’t just dogs and cats. They can be ferrets, fish, pigs, peacocks—almost anything a qualifying owner wants.

So, what are they really? Who qualifies for one, and what are the owner’s rights? The answers to these questions are important. If the animal is why you turn away a rental applicant, you could be charged with housing discrimination. Here’s what landlords need to know about emotional support animals. 

Read the blog.