If you submitted an ESA letter to your landlord and they responded by asking you to complete extra forms, you may be dealing with requests that go beyond what housing laws allow. According to current HUD housing guidelines, landlords cannot demand unnecessary medical details or special documentation for emotional support animals.
HUD clearly states:
“Housing providers may not require health care professionals to use specific forms, notarized statements, sworn declarations, or disclose a tenant’s diagnosis or detailed medical information.”
In this guide, you will learn what landlords are not allowed to request, what information is reasonable, and how to respond professionally if you receive intrusive paperwork.
Forms Landlords Are Not Allowed to Request
Your landlord does not have the right to access your private medical information. Federal housing rules protect your privacy and limit what housing providers can ask for.
Medical History Questions
Any form that asks about medications, treatment length, therapy sessions, or mental health history is not permitted. Requests for medical files or treatment notes also violate HUD guidelines. Your landlord only needs confirmation that you qualify for an emotional support animal, not your personal health details.
Diagnosis or Disability Severity
HUD guidance specifically states that landlords cannot require tenants to disclose the type of disability or how severe it is. You are not required to explain your diagnosis or describe symptoms to qualify for ESA housing accommodations.
Notarized ESA Letters
Some landlords attempt to require notarized ESA letters. This is not allowed. A valid ESA letter signed by a licensed healthcare professional is sufficient. Notarization is not part of federal ESA housing requirements.
Second Opinions or Specific Doctors
Landlords cannot force you to visit a specific doctor or therapist to “verify” your emotional support animal. If your ESA letter meets HUD standards and comes from a licensed provider, no additional medical appointments are required.
Mandatory Medical Exams
HUD also prohibits landlords from requiring medical evaluations as a condition for approving an emotional support animal. This includes physical exams, psychological testing, or screenings.
Examples of illegal or inappropriate questions include:
“What medications are you taking for your condition?”
“How long have you been receiving mental health treatment?”
“What is your exact diagnosis?”
“Rate your disability from 1 to 10.”
“What therapy program are you enrolled in?”
“Have you been hospitalized for mental health reasons?”
“Please provide your medical records.”
“Allow us to speak directly with your therapist.”
These requests violate ESA housing laws and tenant privacy protections.
What Landlords May Ask For
Not all landlord forms are inappropriate. Some basic information requests are reasonable and allowed under housing guidelines.
Simple Confirmation Forms
Landlords may use short confirmation forms that acknowledge receipt of your ESA documentation. These forms typically state that the tenant has submitted valid paperwork for an assistance animal.
Basic Animal Information
Your landlord can request general details about your emotional support animal, such as:
Name
Breed or type
Weight and size
Color and age
They may also ask whether your animal is vaccinated. This information helps with identification and safety in shared housing environments.
Veterinary Records and Contact Information
It is reasonable for landlords to request proof of rabies vaccination or your veterinarian’s contact information. This ensures your ESA is healthy and complies with local animal safety regulations.
To speed up approval, you can include vaccination records and a photo of your animal when submitting your ESA letter. For example, you might write:
“I’ve attached my ESA letter from my licensed provider, along with my dog’s vaccination records and photo for your records. Please let me know if you need any additional pet-related information.”
How to Respond to Invasive Landlord Requests
If your landlord sends forms asking for medical details or unauthorized information, it is important to respond calmly and professionally. Staying respectful helps prevent unnecessary conflict while protecting your rights.
Thank them for reviewing your ESA request and explain that HUD guidelines confirm your ESA letter already fulfills documentation requirements. Keep your response factual and polite.
A sample response could be:
“I’ve provided a valid ESA letter from my licensed healthcare provider confirming my need for an emotional support animal. According to HUD’s January 2020 guidance, this meets the housing documentation requirement. I’m happy to provide vaccination records or veterinary contact details if needed.”
Keep Written Records of All Communication
Always save copies of emails, messages, and forms from your landlord. If a conversation happens by phone, follow up with an email summarizing what was discussed. This creates a paper trail in case disputes arise.
For example:
“Following our phone conversation today, I wanted to confirm that you requested my medical records. As discussed, HUD guidelines do not require tenants to provide personal health information for ESA approval.”
Documentation protects you and helps resolve issues more easily.
Work Toward a Cooperative Solution
Most landlords want to follow the law and protect their property. If they seem confused rather than hostile, consider sharing HUD’s official guidance and explaining that you want to comply with housing rules correctly.
Showing that you are a responsible ESA owner also builds trust. If your landlord is worried about noise, cleanliness, or potential damage, address those concerns directly. Explain your plan for training, supervision, and proper animal care.
Clear communication and cooperation often prevent misunderstandings and make the ESA approval process smoother.
Conclusion
When responding to landlord forms for emotional support animals, knowing your rights is essential. HUD housing rules protect tenants from invasive medical requests while allowing landlords to collect basic animal-related information. By staying informed, keeping records, and responding professionally, you can protect your privacy and secure fair housing accommodations for your emotional support animal.
