As a property manager and landlord, I have witnessed the increasing misuse of Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters, leading to financial loss, unauthorized animals, and significant property damage. It is deeply concerning how easily individuals can obtain ESA certifications online—often without any legitimate mental health evaluation or meaningful relationship with a qualified healthcare provider.

This widespread abuse not only undermines the genuine needs of individuals who truly benefit from ESAs but also puts housing providers in a difficult legal position. We are often unable to enforce pet policies or uphold community standards due to unverifiable or fraudulent ESA claims—many of which come from online sites that issue letters within minutes of answering a few questions and paying a fee.

The harm extends beyond individual landlords. Neighborhoods and entire communities suffer when landlords are forced to accept animals that would otherwise be restricted due to insurance limitations on breed, size, or number of pets. Some insurers may cancel policies or raise premiums when high-risk breeds are present—especially when introduced through unverifiable ESA documentation. These disruptions affect the financial stability, safety, and cohesion of neighborhoods across the country.

What We’re Asking For:
We are petitioning for a change in federal and/or state law requiring the following standards for all ESA letters:

Provider Credentials:
ESA letters must clearly state the full name and license number of the healthcare provider, along with the business address of the practice, phone number, email, & website.

Jurisdiction Disclosure:
The letter must include a list of all states where the provider is legally authorized to practice.

Established Relationship Attestation:
The provider must include a signed statement attesting that they have established a meaningful therapeutic relationship with the patient—either via in-person evaluation or telehealth—for a period of no less than 30 days prior to issuing the ESA recommendation.

Accountability Clause:
The letter must also include language affirming that false or misleading statements may result in revocation of the provider’s license and potential civil or criminal liability under applicable state or federal laws.
By implementing these requirements, we can significantly reduce fraudulent ESA certifications while still protecting the rights of individuals who truly need emotional support animals as part of their care. These simple but essential changes will bring transparency, legitimacy, and legal accountability to a process that has become increasingly exploited.

Why It Matters:
ESA certifications have surged more than 200% in recent years, driven largely by online vendors that require no meaningful clinical evaluation.
Fraudulent ESA letters put landlords at legal and financial risk, compromise community safety, and undermine public trust.
The current system makes it difficult for housing providers to distinguish legitimate needs from abuse—creating conflict and confusion for tenants, landlords, and neighbors alike.

This petition is not about denying rightful accommodations. It’s about restoring integrity and ensuring that ESA letters are based on verified clinical relationships—not online transactions. The goal is a fair, balanced process that protects tenants in need while also safeguarding landlords, neighborhoods, and property investments.

Please join us in supporting this initiative to strengthen ESA certification standards across the country. Together, we can protect the integrity of emotional support animal accommodations—while also protecting our homes, communities, and industry.