Emotional support animal in 4 unit apartment?

Is it true that I can get an emotional support animal for depression in pretty much any "no-pet" building except ones that are 4 or less units? I am currently in a fourplex. My landlord rejected my request for reasonable accommodation, but she provided no reason why.

Not for depression but for a disability. Most people diagnosed with depression (3/4 of them) are not disabled by it. Compare it to vision impairments. Most people with a vision impairment just wear glasses, they aren't considered blind.

Some people with severe depression are disabled by it and would qualify for an ESA in most kinds of housing. A person would need a letter from their doctor documenting their disability and the doctor ordering the pet as part of the person's treatment plan. That's step one.

It's not the number of units in the building that count, but the number of units owned by the landlord and whether or not the landlord resides in one of those units. Also whether the landlord is an individual or a church or government entity, and a few more factors. In short: it will take an attorney to really determine whether they are subject to fair housing laws or not.

What I suggest is you discuss this with your psychiatrist first to see if he supports your position that you are disabled by mental illness and whether he supports the idea of having a pet as part of your treatment plan. Get a letter from him saying so. Here's a sample: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/304

Next, write your own letter requesting a reasonable accommodation. Here's a sample: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/261

Send your letter along with your doctor's to the landlord, requesting a reply within 10 business days. The landlord will need to give you a written reason why he or she is rejecting your request. The sample letter includes references to the laws that give the right to have an ESA to people with disabilities. Your landlord's attorney can do the necessary research to determine whether or not his client is subject to those laws and the landlord should state something to the effect that they are exempt because ______ . If they don't, then they probably don't know the laws and haven't bothered to check with their attorney. You would then need to file a complaint with your state's human rights commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, or Housing and Urban Development.

Fair Housing laws are civil laws. That means there are no fair housing police to force them to comply. If they want to fight it, you must be prepared to go to court and prove your case. Civil laws are enforced by judges.

edit:

editor's link is to an article about service animals under Title III of the ADA, which does not apply to emotional support animals or to housing. Public access with a service animal and housing with a service animal or with an emotional support animal, are covered under separate laws. The Fair Housing Amendments Act applies to most housing.

As a side note: The U.S. Department of Justice announced last week that it expects to finalize its proposed changes to the definition of service animal under the ADA by the end of the year. This would put an end to exotic animals being claimed as service animals for public access purposes, rendering Ms. Skoot's article moot. See a summary of the expected changes here: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/297

How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nestboxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More $14.15 The book is essential reading for anyone interested in animal health and welfare. It includes complete plans and step-by-step, illustrated instructions for sheds, coops, hutches, multipurpose barns, and economical easy-to-build windbreaks and shade structures....

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Petbook $12.49 Get the latest scoop on safe and enjoyable travel with pets in Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook®. The annually updated book lists more than 14,000 pet-friendly AAA Approved lodgings and campgrounds, pet-friendly attractions and national public lands, dog parks and animal clinics. Plus, invaluable tips on U.S./Canada border crossing procedures, preparing pets for car and air travel and pac...

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook $11.00 Get the latest scoop on safe and enjoyable travel with pets in Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBookr. The annually updated book lists more than 13,000 pet-friendly AAA Approved lodgings and campgrounds, pet-friendly attractions and national public lands, dog parks and animal clinics. Plus, invaluable tips on U.S./Canada border crossing procedures, preparing pets for car and air travel and pack...

Pet Accommodation

Any Suggestions for a pet friendly hotel on the Avenue of Giants?

My husband and I are traveling from Vegas to the Redwood Forest. We are looking for suggestions on pet friendly accommodations. I cant find many reviews for hotels/motels/cabins in the area. Thank you!

The Myers Country Inn is the closest nice hotel (not run down) to all the good stuff. They accept pets. There are other pet friendly hotels but they are down in Redway and Garberville but that's a bit of a drive from the main park.

Pet Accommodation
Hawks Nest Accommodation - Pet Friendly

Pet Accommodation

Could Not Find What You Are Looking For? Search Below