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Do ESA Letters Expire? Everything You Need to Know
ESA letters do not expire under federal law. Most housing providers still expect a letter issued within the last 12 months.
An ESA letter from RealESALetter.com is dated on the day of your evaluation and starts a new 12-month window.
This guide covers what the law says and how long a letter works in practice. It also explains why landlords use 12 months and when they can ask for a new letter.
Key Takeaways
No Legal Expiry Date: Federal law sets no end date for an ESA letter. Your letter stays legally valid after 12 months.
The 12-Month Rule: Most landlords expect a letter issued within the past year. Screening services like PetScreening check this date.
Arkansas Is the Exception: Arkansas requires a yearly evaluation for emotional support dog letters. California sets no time limit.
HUD Added No Deadline: HUD withdrew its old ESA guidance in May 2026. The change did not add an expiry date.
New Leases Trigger Checks: Landlords most often ask for a recent letter at a new application. Check your issue date before you apply.
What Does the Law Say About ESA Letter Expiration?
No federal law sets an expiration date for ESA letters. An ESA letter from a licensed clinician stays legally valid with no end date. Most laws focus on who can write a letter and how. Only one state puts a yearly clock on it.
Does the Fair Housing Act Set an Expiry Date?
The Fair Housing Act does not limit how long an ESA letter lasts. The law requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. It says nothing about the age of your documentation. Some clinicians add their own "valid through" date. That date is their own practice. It is not a legal rule.
Did HUD's 2026 Change Add an Expiry Date?
HUD's May 2026 memo did not add an expiry date.
- Before May 2026: HUD relied on two guidance notices from 2013 and 2020. Neither notice set an age limit for ESA letters.
- After May 2026: HUD rescinded both notices in a new enforcement memo. HUD now finds cause only in cases that involve trained animals.
- What stayed the same: The Fair Housing Act itself did not change. No federal rule limits how old your letter can be.
What this means for your letter: Landlords now have more room to question documentation. A recent issue date gives them less reason to push back.
Our full breakdown explains what changed in HUD's 2026 ESA policy and what it means for tenants.
Do State ESA Laws Set an Expiry Date?
Most state ESA laws control how a letter is issued rather than how long it lasts. Arkansas is the one exception we found.
State | What the law requires | Sets a time limit? |
California | A 30-day client relationship before a letter is issued | No |
Louisiana | A 30-day client relationship and an effective date on the letter | No |
Montana | A 30-day client relationship before a letter is issued | No |
Arkansas | A provider evaluation at least once a year and a yearly review to renew emotional support dog letters | Yes (yearly) |
In Arkansas the 12-month rule is a legal requirement. In every other state we checked it is landlord practice.
These rules matter most when you relocate. Check how ESA letter rules differ between states before you move.
How Long Is an ESA Letter Good For?
Most housing providers accept an ESA letter for 12 months from its issue date. The letter stays legally valid after that. Only its acceptance changes. Use this table to see how long an ESA letter is valid in practice.
Letter age | Legal status | How landlords usually treat it | What to do |
Under 12 months | Valid | Meets the common 12-month standard | Nothing |
12 to 24 months | Valid | May fail screening checks that require a letter issued within 12 months | Get a new evaluation before your next application |
Over 2 years | Valid | Likely to be questioned because the clinician may not confirm a current need | Get a new evaluation |
Find the issue date near the clinician's signature. Do not count from the day you got your animal. A new letter is always dated from your new evaluation. Licensed clinicians cannot backdate it. In Arkansas the yearly evaluation rule applies regardless of what your landlord accepts.
Why Do Landlords Use a 12-Month Rule?
A letter under 12 months old shows that your need for an ESA is current. Federal law does not make you get a new ESA letter every year. Landlords use 12 months as an industry standard for three reasons.
Current need: An ESA letter works like a prescription. It reflects your condition on the day it was issued. |
Clinician verification: A clinician can confirm a recent evaluation with confidence. An evaluation from years ago is harder to vouch for. |
Screening services: Many landlords use third-party screening. PetScreening's assistance animal review checks that documentation was issued within the last 12 months. |
Every RealESALetter.com letter lists its issue date and the clinician's license number and contact details for verification under the Fair Housing Act.
The issue date sits in a set place on every genuine letter. This guide shows where the issue date appears on an ESA letter so you can check yours.
Can a Landlord Ask for an Updated ESA Letter?
A landlord can ask for an updated ESA letter at certain points. ESA letters do not expire for housing in a legal sense. Timing decides when a landlord is likely to ask.
During Your Lease
A landlord rarely needs a new letter in the middle of a lease. No federal rule sets a fixed review date. The test is whether the request is reasonable. The same animal and a genuine letter are usually enough. A new animal or a changed situation can justify a fresh request.
Screening profiles often renew every 12 months. Expect a check when you renew your lease. It helps to know how reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act works during a tenancy.
When You Apply for a New Home
A new lease application is the most common point to ask for a recent letter. A new landlord reviews your documentation from scratch. Many will flag a letter older than 12 months. Check your issue date before you apply.
When the Property Changes Owners
A new owner or manager may ask you to confirm your accommodation. This is common practice rather than a set legal rule. A recent letter makes the handover simple. If the new owner pushes back you should know when a landlord can deny an ESA.
What Should You Do If Your ESA Letter Is Out of Date?
Get a new evaluation before your next lease application. You can return to your original clinician or see a new licensed one. Start early if your state has a 30-day relationship rule.
An ESA letter renewal follows the same clinical evaluation as your first letter. Your new letter carries a new issue date.
Skip lifetime registrations and certificates. They are not ESA letters. Montana law states that a registration alone does not establish a disability-related need.
Conclusion
ESA letters do not expire under federal law. Most landlords still expect a letter issued within the last 12 months. Arkansas makes that yearly review a legal rule. Check your issue date before your next lease and start a new ESA evaluation if yours is out of date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an ESA letter from 2 years ago?
Generally, no. While federal law does not set a specific expiration date for ESA letters, most landlords prefer documentation that reflects your current mental health needs.
What if my letter has no visible expiration date?
Treat the issue date printed on the letter as the start of the 12-month window. If your letter was issued on March 1, 2024, it should be treated as expired after March 1, 2025, even if no expiration date is explicitly stated.
Do ESA Letters Expire in California?
California does not set an expiration date for ESA letters. AB 468 controls how an emotional support dog letter is issued. The clinician must hold an active license and list its details on the letter. A 30-day client relationship and a clinical evaluation must come first. The law says nothing about how long the letter lasts. You can read more in our guide to California ESA laws.
Can I Use a Letter From a Therapist I No Longer See?
You can use it if the letter is recent and the clinician's license is still active. A landlord may contact the clinician to verify it. An old letter from a former therapist is harder to confirm. A new licensed clinician can evaluate you for a fresh letter. See who can write an ESA letter to find the right provider.
Harper Jefcoat is a content writer with 10+ years of experience covering ESA laws, mental wellness, and emotional support animal benefits. As a blog author for RealESALetter, he educates readers on ESA regulations and promotes ethical documentation practices.
Darren Rafel is a licensed clinical social worker with active LCSW licenses across 13 states, including California, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, and Arkansas. He conducts ESA evaluations with direct clinical experience using pet therapy as part of mental health treatment.
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