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[quote=Anonymous]If you have a single family house rental that is not rented through a real estate broker or agent, then you are not required to allow the ESA.  Both the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) exclude that case and you will not be required to cover it.   Also, if you have a multi-family unit (like a condo or duplex) and you inhabit one of the units.

However, assuming that doesn't cover you, then you are allowed to request documentation of a disability that needs an ESA.  You can request that a physician or mental health professional send you a letter on their practice's official letterhead and include their professional license number that documents the prospective tenant's disability and need for an ESA.  Note that they do not need to identify what the disability is, only that the prospective tenant has one that requires an ESA to treat.  Alternatively, you can provide the medical or mental health professional to complete.  I personally would specify that the mental health professional has seen the prospective tenant more than once and for more than a year.

You cannot charge a pet deposit, but I would make sure to have a larger deposit (at least one months rent) for such a situation to ensure that any damage can be covered.

You can read more details about your obligations and your rights as a landlord here.  I recommend that you read this before you respond to the prospective tenant, as it specifically includes how to respond to the tenant and questions you can and cannot ask the tenant.  Note although the page is named "service dog documentation" it covers both service animals, ESAs and the difference between the two and what you can and can't say or do in both cases. 
[url]https://ipropertymanagement.com/blog/service-dog-documentation[/url][/quote]

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