Need an ESA letter? Keep an eye out for ESA red flags
When you start your search for an ESA letter service, you'll find a lot of options.
While a lot of them are good, they're definitely not all equal. In fact, some of them look downright untrustworthy. When I was researching the companies, there were certain red flags that kept cropping up that
you should keep an eye out for:
Steer clear of ESA certifications, registration numbers or ID cards
If you notice that a service is offering add-on services of certifications, registration numbers, ID cards or something similar, don't trust them. These add-ons sound very reassuring but the only thing you need
is an official letter from a licensed mental health professional recommending an ESA. I'd recommend avoiding any service that mentions certifications and registrations, as there's no official registration system
for support or service animals.
With all that in mind, I wanted to find a service that would connect me with a real mental health professional and a legally sound ESA letter. It took a bit of time to review all of the services, but it meant
that I could be confident that I could live with Cooper wherever I went. I've put everything I found in this guide with some handy dos and don'ts so your search should be simple and straightforward.
Get to grips with ESA letter requirements and guidelines
Before you start looking into ESA letter services and different companies, it's good to know what you need. Besides your eligibility for an ESA, your letter is the most important document. The letter is the one
thing that means Cooper can live with me wherever I move.
The US Department of Housing (HUD) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) have guidelines for anyone who wants to apply for an ESA. The guidance also lets you know your rights and an idea for what to look for on ESA
sites. Some of the sites I looked into don't mention the guidance or regulations anywhere which means the letters are probably illegitimate and a waste of your money.
Here's what you need to know about ESA requirements and your rights:
Make sure your mental health professional is licensed in your state
Alongside making sure you speak to a genuine mental health professional, they need to be licensed in your state. If they're not, the letter won't be valid. You cannot be treated and prescribed an ESA letter if
your mental health professional isn't licensed in your state.
This doesn't mean that they have to live in your state, just have an active license there. It's a good idea to find a company that's got a network of professionals across the country. That way you can get a
license for wherever you need it. It's also handy if you're moving state as the same company can help you in whichever state you're moving to.
Learn about accepted license types
When you're researching companies, it's good to know what type of medical health professionals can legally write ESA letters. This will help you find legitimate services and avoid untrustworthy options. The HUD
states that a variety of mental health professionals can write ESA letters, including:
- Physicians
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Physician's assistants
- Nurse practitioners
- Clinical social workers.
Ignore warns about species/breed restrictions
There's a lot of misinformation about what breeds and species you can have as an emotional support animal, but the HUD states there are no restrictions. To have your furry friend as an ESA, you just need a mental
professional to confirm it's reasonable and justified. This means that your super-friendly pitbull will be absolutely fine as an ESA.
Understand ESA quantity limits
The HUD states that there aren't any limits on how many ESAs you can have. You just need your mental health professional to find all animals to be reasonable and justified. Understandably, the more animals you
have, the harder it is for them to find individual mental health benefits for each animal. Because of this, a lot of ESA services will charge additional fees for 3 or more animals. The decision as to how many
animals you can have as ESAs is down to your mental health professional's discretion.
Know the difference between ESAs and PSDs
Psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) have public access rights along with the same housing rights as ESAs since they are legally service animals and protected by the ADA. PSDs have to be trained to perform a task
directly related to your mental disability, which is different from ESAs, who don't have to be trained at all.
Find a service with good legal and therapist support
I've read tons of nightmarish stories of landlords harassing pet owners even when they have legitimate ESA letters. The experience is stressful and nerve-racking so it's important to make sure you find a service
you can trust to defend you regardless of your situation. Make sure you find a company with a solid legal team and good support.
Make sure you've got all the support you need
Finding a service that supports you with additional forms is super important. Landlords will ask you to fill out specific documents and forms, and although they're not legally required, it's usually a good idea
to comply where you can. Good ESA services will help you fill in the forms and make sure you meet your landlord's requirements. Some services include this, and others offer it as an additional service.
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