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What Is the ESA Accommodation Request Process?
The ESA accommodation request process is the set of steps a tenant follows to ask a landlord to change a pet rule for an emotional support animal. You send a written request with your ESA letter. The landlord reviews it on its own facts and gives a decision.
An ESA letter from RealESALetter.com is the licensed clinician proof that backs your ESA accommodation request.
This guide covers how to make the request and what to write. It also explains which law applies and how landlords review requests after the 2026 HUD change.
Key Takeaways
A Request Asks for a Rule Change: You ask your landlord to change a pet rule for your ESA. Your ESA letter supports the request.
No Set Form Is Required: Spoken requests count. A dated written request is the safest record.
Your Request Needs Five Parts: Your name and unit. A request for a reasonable accommodation. The animal. The rule you need changed. Your ESA letter.
The Fair Housing Act Still Applies: HUD rescinded its ESA guidance in May 2026. State laws and private lawsuits still apply.
Landlords Review Each Request Individually: They can verify your clinician's license. Medical records are usually not needed.
How Do You Make an ESA Accommodation Request?
You make an ESA accommodation request in four steps that are mentioned below.
Step 1: Get Your ESA Letter
Get your ESA letter from a licensed clinician before you send the request. The letter is the proof that supports your request. The request itself is a separate document that you write. RealESALetter.com connects tenants with a licensed therapist in their state for an ESA housing evaluation.
Step 2: Write Your Request
Write a short request that asks your landlord to change a pet rule for your animal. Spoken requests also count. No set form or wording is required. You do not even need to use the words "reasonable accommodation." A written request is still the better choice because it shows exactly what you asked and when.
These rules come from the HUD and DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations. The template in the next section shows what to include.
Step 3: Send It to Your Landlord
Send the request to the person who manages your housing. This is usually your landlord or property manager. Check your lease for a named contact or office. Send it before your animal moves in when you can. You can also ask at the application stage or in the middle of a lease.
Step 4: Keep Proof of Delivery
Keep proof that your landlord received the request. Email gives you a timestamp. Certified mail gives you a signed receipt. A tenant portal gives you a confirmation screen. Save a copy of everything you send.
The delivery date matters if the review stalls. No federal law sets a fixed deadline. This guide explains how long a landlord has to respond and what counts as a delay.
What Should Your Written ESA Request Say?
Your written ESA request should ask for a reasonable accommodation and name the animal and the rule you need changed. Keep it short. One page is enough. Attach your ESA letter and leave your diagnosis out.
A written ESA request needs five parts:
- Your name and unit
- A request for a reasonable accommodation
- The animal
- The rule you need changed
- Your attached ESA letter
Template
Copy this tenant template and fill in the brackets.
Tenant ESA Accommodation Request
[Date]
To: [Landlord or property manager name] Property: [Property address] From: [Your name and unit number]
I am requesting a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act [and STATE law] to keep my emotional support animal in my unit.
My animal is a [species] named [name]. I am asking for an exception to [the no-pet policy / the weight limit / the breed restriction].
I have a disability. My licensed clinician has determined that this animal helps with symptoms of my disability. Their letter dated [date] is attached.
[Only if true: My animal is trained to perform these tasks for my disability: (list tasks).]
Please confirm that you received this request. Let me know if you need anything else to review it. You can reach me at [phone or email].
[Signature] [Printed name]
What to Attach
Attach your ESA letter and nothing else. The letter comes from the licensed clinician who evaluated you. It should show their license details and the date it was issued. Check what a valid ESA letter includes before you attach it.
What to Leave Out
Leave out anything the landlord does not need to review the request.
- Your diagnosis or condition name
- Therapy notes or medical records
- Medication names or doses
- ESA registration certificates or ID cards
- Claims that pet fees must be waived
Online registrations and ID cards are not clinical documentation. They can weaken an otherwise valid request.
Which Law Covers Your ESA Housing Request?
The Fair Housing Act covers most ESA housing requests. Some housing types add a second law or send the request to a different office. A few small properties are exempt from the federal rules.
Law by Housing Type
Housing type | Law that applies | Where the request goes |
Private rental | Fair Housing Act | Landlord or property manager |
Public or HUD-assisted housing | Fair Housing Act and Section 504 | Housing authority or management office |
University housing | Fair Housing Act and Section 504 | Disability services or housing office |
Condo or HOA | Fair Housing Act | Board or management company |
Owner-occupied building with 4 or fewer units | Exempt from federal accommodation rules | Owner (check your state law) |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act applies to housing that receives federal funding. It works alongside the Fair Housing Act. Many states also have their own fair housing laws. Some of them cover ESAs directly.
HUD's 2025-2026 Change
HUD changed how it enforces ESA rules in two steps. Until 2025 HUD guidance treated ESAs as assistance animals. Landlords generally made exceptions to pet rules once a tenant gave documentation.
September 17, 2025: HUD withdrew its assistance animal guidance (FHEO-2013-01 and FHEO-2020-01). |
May 22, 2026: HUD permanently rescinded that guidance. HUD now finds reasonable cause in animal cases only when the animal is trained to provide disability-related assistance. |
The Fair Housing Act itself did not change. State fair housing laws and private lawsuits still apply. You can read the full breakdown of HUD's 2026 ESA policy change and what it means for current letters.
For your request this means two things. Name your state law when it covers ESAs. List any trained tasks your animal performs. This section is general information and not legal advice.
How Does a Landlord Review an ESA Housing Accommodation Request?
A landlord reviews an ESA housing accommodation request on its own facts. The landlord checks whether you have a disability-related need for the animal. The landlord also checks whether the animal poses a direct threat or would cause serious damage. Since 2026 this individualized review carries more weight.
Verification
Your landlord may verify that your ESA letter is genuine. This usually means checking the clinician's license with the state board.
Every RealESALetter.com letter lists the clinician's license number and license state so a housing provider can verify it during a Fair Housing Act accommodation review. Medical records are usually not needed for this step.
Landlords follow set steps when they check a letter. Learn how landlords verify an ESA letter and which red flags they look for.
Requests for Clarification
Your landlord may ask a follow-up question before deciding. This back and forth is called the interactive process. Answer in writing. Answer only what was asked. Do not send extra medical details.
Landlord Forms and Portals
Your landlord may ask you to use their own form or online portal. Using it can speed up the review. Federal guidance says a landlord must still consider a request made another way. Keep your own written request on file either way.
Alternative Offers
Your landlord may offer a different accommodation than the one you asked for. A landlord might offer a different unit as one example. You can discuss the offer as part of the interactive process. You do not have to accept it if your original request is reasonable and the offer does not meet your needs.
The Decision
Get your landlord's decision in writing. An approval may come with conditions such as an animal addendum. Keep the approval with your lease. Ask for the reason in writing if the request is denied.
A denial is not always the final word. See what to do if your ESA letter is rejected by your landlord.
Conclusion
The ESA accommodation request process works best when you keep it short and in writing. Name your animal and the rule you need changed. Attach your ESA letter and keep proof of delivery. Need an ESA letter to attach to your request? Start your ESA evaluation with a licensed clinician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else make the ESA request for you?
Yes. A family member or another person acting for you can make the request. The request must still show it is for a person with a disability. Your ESA letter supports it the same way.
Can you request an ESA accommodation before you sign a lease?
Yes. Rental applicants can request an accommodation. Asking before you sign gives the landlord time to review it before move-in. Current tenants can read about getting an ESA after you move in for their situation.
Can you request an accommodation for your child's ESA?
Yes. A parent can make the request for a child with a disability who lives in the home. The ESA letter should come from the child's licensed clinician. The rest of the process stays the same.
Do you need a lawyer to make an ESA accommodation request?
No. You can make the request yourself. You do not need to cite any law or use legal terms. Legal help matters only if a dispute follows.
Can you change or withdraw an ESA accommodation request after you send it?
Yes. Send a short written note to withdraw or update your request. A new or replacement animal needs a new request. Attach an ESA letter that covers the new animal.
Do you need an accommodation request if your building allows pets?
Only when a pet rule must change for your animal. Examples include a weight limit or a breed restriction. No request is needed when your animal already meets every pet rule.
Dr. Avery Langston is a health and wellness writer with 12+ years of experience covering ESA rights, housing laws, and mental health. As a senior contributor for RealESALetter, she helps readers understand ESA regulations and legal protections.
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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