Can I Get an ESA After I Move In? The Case of Revealing ESAs After Signing a Lease

Moving into a new home can be an exciting milestone, especially if your furry companion is tagging along. But what if the decision to get an emotional support animal (ESA) comes after you’ve already signed a lease? 

This is a very common situation that raises the question, “Can I get an ESA after I move in?” Since you’ve technically agreed to the landlord’s rules and your lease is locked in, it’s normal to feel a bit awkward. But will the unfortunate timing really be an obstacle, or are your snuggly BFF’s legal rights the key factor here?

Whether your need for an ESA came after you signed a lease or you just didn’t inform your landlord before moving in, we’ll explore if getting an emotional support animal after signing the lease is possible.

Can You Get an ESA in the Middle of a Lease?

Not only are you under no obligation to disclose an ESA in your rental application, but you can also get an ESA in the middle of a lease. What gives ESA owners this extra bit of leverage over property managers is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA provides equal housing opportunities to people with disabilities and prevents discrimination against them while renting a property.

This law doesn’t treat support animals as regular pets, so housing managers must: 

• Provide appropriate accommodation for renters with ESAs, even if there was no mention of an ESA during lease signing
• Allow certain breeds on the property premises, even if they have a “breed restriction” list
• Not charge any pet deposits, fees, or rent

Still, this doesn’t mean renters should abuse the system and purposefully play hide and seek till the very last minute. It’s always better to let your landlord know in advance of any support animal(s) you live with.

Ideally, you should inform your landlord-to-be about your ESA even before it arrives at the property and let them use their right to request appropriate documentation for your ESA. Any incomplete or invalid document can be legally rejected, so it’s best for everyone involved to be transparent from the get-go.

Typically, there are three common cases when you’d inform your landlord of an ESA mid-lease:

1. You adopt an ESA after renting
2. You fail to inform your landlord beforehand
3. Your pet becomes an ESA after moving in

Adopting an ESA After Renting 

You may not have needed an ESA while initially moving into your new home, but circumstances can change. As your condition worsens, your need for a support animal intensifies (especially with the stress of starting your life in a new home).

If this is your case, adopting an ESA can provide the necessary comfort and companionship you need in this new chapter of your life. As long as you follow all due processes to get an ESA and then inform your landlord about your situation along with appropriate documentation, you and your trusty sidekick should be off the landlord’s naughty list.

Failing To Inform Your Landlord Beforehand

When you’re drowning in a sea of cardboard boxes and leasing paperwork, it’s easy to forget to mention that you’ve got a furry BFF by your side. Your decision to keep your buddy undercover may also come from a place of fear, especially if you’re afraid of potentially being evicted. 

If you haven’t informed your landlord or property manager about your ESA, make sure to tell them as soon as possible, even if it’s after settling in. Not disclosing a support animal from the get-go can lead to significant issues, such as:

• Being evicted for dishonesty if your rental application requested such information 
• Legal action due to lease violation, especially in no-pet accommodation
• A compromised relationship with your landlord and trust erosion
• Negative reference for future rentals

As a rule of thumb, renters should avoid hiding their support animal from landlords out of fear of their reaction. The more you prolong this, the greater the potential consequences if they find out about your ESA on their own.

A Pet Becoming an ESA After Moving In 

Already living with an animal friend that the landlord knows about? Kudos! But, keep in mind that if you turn your pet into an ESA after moving in, you should inform your landlord that your snuggle bug has officially received the ESA badge of honor to prevent any future issues.

What Do I Need To Show My Landlord for My ESA?

The good thing about renting with ESAs is that you only need to hand over one document—a valid ESA letter. This letter clearly states that your BFF is more than a furry roommate; they’re vital for your mental and emotional well-being.

More specifically, the letter describes you, the animal in question, and the way it helps your condition. But this doesn’t mean ESA letters are up for grabs. Unless you suffer from a mental condition directly labeled in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), you won’t be eligible to get an ESA letter.

The only people authorized to prescribe an ESA letter are licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs), including:

• Nurse practitioners
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHNs)
• Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
• Counselors
• Psychologists
• Pediatric neurologists

Now, some sources may claim that you need to register your ESA online and provide landlords with a super-duper shiny certificate, but in reality, these are all bogus claims. There’s no government registry that stores any data regarding ESAs. None. Nada. Zilch.

Can a Landlord Ask for an ESA Letter?

Yes, landlords can and are completely within their rights to ask you to present your ESA letter. The official paperwork confirms that your loyal furball doesn’t live with you just for laughs and belly rubs but for clinic-level emotional comfort. 

Remember that providing a fake ESA letter can account for forged prescriptions, and landlords must check certain details to ensure your letter is authentic. 

Typically, they’ll check for your LMHP’s: 

• State license number 
• Name
• Contact number 
• National Provider Identification (NPI) number
• Signature

These elements constitute a genuine ESA letter and confirm that you’ve followed all due processes and aren’t blindly demanding extra rights. However, landlords aren’t allowed to pry into your personal life and inquire about your exact health condition or any previous medical records.

How To Ensure Your ESA Letter Is Genuine

In addition to being on your LMHP’s official letterhead, these details prove your ESA letter is legally valid and compliant:

Can a Landlord Deny Your ESA?

Potentially, landlords can deny an ESA, even if the renter has a valid ESA letter. However, this only applies in special cases, such as:

• Health risks: If you’re renting a room in an apartment, your landlord can reject your ESA if other occupants are allergic to it
• Disruptive behavior: Some animals have unpredictable behavior compared to others. If your ESA is suspected to have disruptive or aggressive behavior, which can hurt neighbors or damage the property, your landlord may be able to deny it entry 
• Sizing issues: If your animal friend is too large to fit into your new home, this may be a valid problem. Larger ESAs could raise maintenance costs for landlords, which can lead them to reject your BFF

If you feel like your landlord is rejecting your ESA for unfair or discriminatory reasons, you can always file a HUD complaint.

How To Get an ESA Letter 

Ready to make your support animal official? Obtaining an ESA letter isn’t rocket science. All you need to do is follow the three steps mentioned below: 

1. Find a local LMHP: Visit a nearby LMHP, preferably someone like your therapist, who knows your medical history 
2. Get evaluated: Your LMHP will examine you and decide if they really need to add a support animal to your treatment. Mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic anxiety, and depression, are a few examples of qualifying conditions
3. Receive your letter: If necessary, the LMHP will prescribe you an animal friend who will always be there to provide companionship. In case you already own a pet, you can turn them into an ESA, too

The process of getting a letter can be tedious if you go the conventional route. You could end up waiting in queues longer than a dachshund, making multiple visits, and sitting through uncomfortable in-person sessions. That’s why obtaining an ESA letter online is often easier as you go through this process while snuggled up with your cuddle buddy.

How To Get an ESA Letter Online 

Taking the virtual route to get an ESA letter is more convenient and time-efficient compared to doing it in person. All steps basically remain the same, with the exception of doing everything from the comfort of your home. 

Here’s what you can expect to do:

1. Complete a pre-qualifying quiz: A short set of questions will be presented for you to answer. This allows online platforms to curate applicants who are qualified to meet with an LMHP
2. Schedule a virtual consultation: If you qualify for an ESA, you’ll be digitally connected to an LMHP who practices in your state. They’ll evaluate your mental health and, if applicable, prescribe you an ESA
3. Receive the letter: Ideally, you should gain access to your online ESA letter within 48 hours, but you can contact your service provider in case of delays

Your Service Animal—The Key to Living With Your ESA Stress-Free

Your Service Animal is an online ESA letter provider that prioritizes speed, convenience, and legal compliance. From meeting with a trusted LMHP to getting your letter in little to no time, it ensures your animal friend can live anywhere with you and is recognized by law as an important part of your life. 

Here’s what the service brings you: 

The Mini-Guide to Obtaining an ESA Letter

Skip the fur-stration of getting an ESA and jump straight to snuggly support. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects it