How to Get Around Breed Restrictions with an ESA Letter

Published by Guest Author on July 28, 2023

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If you’ve ever tried to rent an apartment with a pit bull, Rottweiler, or another “restricted” breed, you know how frustrating breed bans can be. Many housing providers enforce strict pet policies based on outdated assumptions or insurance limitations, but emotional support animal (ESA) protections may legally override those restrictions.

So, if you’re wondering how to bypass breed restrictions in housing, you’ve come to the right place. Thanks to federal housing laws, a valid ESA letter can serve as a powerful tool.

In this guide, we’ll break down how ESA letters work, what your emotional support animal housing rights are, and how to use your documentation to challenge breed bans confidently and lawfully.

Why Breed Restrictions Exist in Housing

Landlords often implement breed restrictions based on perceived safety concerns, insurance requirements, or generalized stereotypes about certain dog breeds.

Commonly restricted breeds include:

Pit bulls
Rottweilers
Dobermans
German shepherds
Huskies

These rules typically appear in pet policies or lease agreements, but they’re written for general pet ownership, not emotional support animals. Once an animal is officially recognized as an ESA, different legal protections apply.

How an ESA Letter Changes the Rules

When you have a valid ESA letter, your animal becomes more than a pet—it becomes part of your mental health support plan. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords are legally required to provide “reasonable accommodations” to individuals with disabilities, including allowing emotional support animals.

This protection means landlords cannot enforce breed, weight, or size restrictions on a documented ESA. It also means your animal is exempt from pet fees, breed bans, and other limitations that normally apply to pets in housing.

What Makes an ESA Letter Legally Effective

To be legally valid, your ESA letter must be issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) in the same state where you reside.

A legitimate ESA letter must:

Be written on professional letterhead
Include the LMHP’s full name, license number, and contact details
Clearly state that you have a qualifying mental or emotional health condition
Explain how your animal supports your well-being
Be signed and dated

For continued protection, it’s best to renew your ESA letter every 12 months, especially when leasing or renewing housing.

Get your ESA letter online through Pettable from a licensed provider in your state—fast, legitimate, and secure.

How to Use Your ESA Letter to Challenge Breed Restrictions

Here’s how to approach the situation if your emotional support animal falls under your landlord’s restricted breed list:

Present your ESA letter early, ideally before signing a lease or as soon as you obtain the letter.
Stay calm and assertive. You’re not asking for a favor—you’re invoking your legal right under the FHA.
Politely cite the law. Let them know that breed restrictions do not apply to emotional support animals protected under the Fair Housing Act.
Keep it in writing. Communicate through email when possible, and save all documentation.

You don’t need to argue, plead, or provide personal health records. Just share your valid ESA letter and reference your rights.

What Landlords Can and Cannot Do Legally

Understanding your rights—and your landlord’s limitations—is key when navigating ESA breed restrictions.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects individuals with disabilities, including those with emotional or mental health conditions, and requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

What Landlords CANNOT Do

Deny housing solely based on breed, size, or weight: Once your animal is recognized as an ESA through a valid letter, any breed restrictions written into pet policies no longer apply.
Charge pet-related fees: This includes pet rent, pet deposits, or “pet sanitation fees”—as ESAs are not considered pets under federal law.
Require ESA registration, certification, or ID cards: These are often part of online scams. The only legally required document is a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Demand full access to your medical history or diagnosis: While landlords can verify your need for an ESA via your letter, they cannot ask for detailed medical records or your specific condition.
Reject your ESA based on fear, insurance concerns, or neighbor complaints without documented evidence that the animal is dangerous or destructive.

What Landlords CAN Do

Request a copy of your ESA letter from a licensed professional: This must include your provider’s contact info, license number, and confirmation that you have a qualifying condition.

Ask whether your ESA poses a direct threat or has a history of aggressive behavior: A landlord may deny an ESA if it has previously bitten someone, damaged property, or exhibited violent behavior. But this must be based on actual evidence, not assumptions.
Request additional information if a tenant’s behavior or the animal’s conduct raises safety concerns: For instance, if an ESA is consistently barking, scratching doors, or causing disturbances, the landlord may document these concerns.
Deny accommodations only in rare and specific circumstances—such as if the ESA creates undue financial or administrative burdens, or fundamentally alters the nature of the housing service.

Tips to Strengthen Your Position (Optional but Helpful)

While you’re not required to provide more than your ESA letter, here are a few proactive steps to strengthen your case:

Provide updated vet records showing vaccinations and health status
Maintain good behavior in shared spaces to avoid neighbor complaints
Offer a reference or training certificate if your ESA has completed basic obedience (optional but helpful)

If your landlord still resists, refer them to the Fair Housing Act or contact HUD for support.

Tip: Pettable’s ESA letter service includes professional documentation and access to a licensed therapist, making your case as strong as possible.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Rights, Use Them Confidently

If you’re living with a breed-restricted dog that serves as your emotional support animal, you don’t need to move, rehome your pet, or hide them. You just need to understand the law, present the correct documentation, and assert your rights respectfully.

With a valid ESA letter, breed restrictions don’t apply. The Fair Housing Act is on your side—and you’re entitled to live with the support animal that helps you thrive.

FAQs

Q: Can I legally get around breed restrictions with an ESA letter?

Yes. The Fair Housing Act provides an ESA letter breed restriction loophole that prevents owners from breed-based discrimination when they have valid documentation.