Topic: Do you require your tenants provide an updated letter to prove their need for an ESA is still relevant?

Do all of you follow up and require your tenants with ESA animals to provide an updated letter to prove their need for an ESA is still relevant? TIA!

We do annually.

I would seek legal before pursuing. In order to get an ESA a patient must qualify as having a disability. The definition of disability is a condition that will last a lifetime, not temporary.

Heather Taylor Not necessarily. I am not a doctor, but that is the attorney's position. A disability may not always be a disability.

No, I've never heard of a company having this policy. however, if your company wants to adopt this policy just spell it out in the ESA policy or resident handbook and execute it fairly and evenly. I don't know of any care provider that would say " oh they are all better and now they need to get rid of the emotional support animal that they have grown so attached to"

Use Pet Screening. It’s amazing and they take care of all it!

No because just like an assistance animal legally it is considered an extension of the person not an animal. And I assume your not requiring people to re document people with assistance vs ESA.

In FL, I believe you can require update annually.

No, once it’s gotten certified it doesn’t need to be done again.

I require updated proof of vaccination, city registration (it’s annual) and updated ESA letter from provider at renewal.

What state are you in? Different states different regulations. I’m some instances you can verify if the need is still there but it’s a slippery slope that more than likely you will lose. Make sure your rules are according to need and treat an service/support animal as you would a live in aid. Are they unruly and aggressive and it is never up to us to determine the need. You can always remove the care giver if they cause issues but more often than not, the need will always be there.

A fair housing attorney friend I know says that this is perfectly approppriate for ESA's and at the time of lease renewal.

Susan Weston agreed