ESA - Certified Emotional Support Animal Landlord Rights and Obligations Questions and Answers

Question 1

A tenant with a valid ESA letter for their dog moves into an apartment complex that normally charges a $300 pet deposit. How must the landlord handle this fee in relation to the ESA?

Accepted Answer

They cannot charge a pet deposit or pet rent, but can charge for any damages the animal causes.

Answer

They can charge a reduced 'assistance animal' deposit.

Answer

They must waive the pet deposit but can charge monthly 'pet rent.'

Answer

They can charge the standard pet deposit, as it applies to all animals.

Question 2

A tenant's approved Emotional Support Animal, a cat, scratches and severely damages the carpet and door frames in their unit. Which of the following best describes the landlord's recourse under the FHA?

Accepted Answer

The landlord can require the tenant to pay for the repairs from their security deposit and bill for additional costs.

Answer

The landlord must absorb the cost of the damage as part of the reasonable accommodation.

Answer

The landlord can immediately evict the tenant and the ESA for violating the lease agreement.

Answer

The landlord can only charge the tenant if the damage exceeds a pre-determined 'pet damage' fee.

Question 3

When verifying a tenant's ESA request where the disability is not obvious, a landlord has received a letter from a therapist. Which of the following actions is the landlord legally permitted to take to verify the documentation?

Accepted Answer

Contact the therapist solely to confirm that they wrote the letter for the tenant.

Answer

Demand access to the tenant's detailed medical records and diagnosis.

Answer

Require the therapist to use the landlord's own specific 'ESA Verification' form.

Answer

Insist on an in-person meeting with the tenant and the therapist.

Question 4

A tenant with a documented disability submits two separate, valid ESA letters from their therapist: one for a dog to alleviate anxiety and one for a cat to help with depression-related isolation. The apartment has a strict 'one-pet' limit. What is the landlord's primary obligation?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate the reasonable accommodation request for each animal individually.

Answer

Automatically deny the second animal because of the 'one-pet' policy.

Answer

Require the tenant to choose which single animal they wish to keep as an ESA.

Answer

Approve both animals but charge a pet deposit for the second one.

Question 5

An individual with a valid ESA letter wants to rent a single-family home. The home is being rented by the owner, who does not use a real estate agent. The owner also owns three other rental homes. Is the owner required to provide a reasonable accommodation for the ESA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because the owner owns more than three single-family homes, they are subject to the FHA.

Answer

No, because the owner is not using a real estate agent, they are fully exempt.

Answer

No, because single-family homes are always exempt from the FHA.

Answer

Yes, but only if the tenant agrees to pay a 'pet liability' fee.

Question 6

A landlord wishes to deny an ESA request by claiming it would pose an 'undue financial and administrative burden.' Which of the following situations is most likely to meet this legal standard for denial?

Accepted Answer

The landlord's insurance provider will cancel their policy if that specific animal is on the property, and comparable insurance is unavailable.

Answer

Several other tenants have expressed a mild fear of the animal's breed.

Answer

The landlord has a personal, non-life-threatening allergy to the animal.

Answer

The landlord would need to make a minor change to the community rules regarding animal relief areas.

A tenant with a valid ESA letter for their dog moves into an apartment complex that normally charges a $300 pet deposit.How must the landlord handle this fee in relation to the ESA?

A tenant with a valid ESA letter for their dog moves into an apartment complex that normally charges a $300 pet deposit.
How must the landlord handle this fee in relation to the ESA?