An fha reasonable accommodation letter is a short, signed request to your housing provider for an exception to a ‘no pets’ or similar rule because your disability limits a major life activity. Pair it with a verification letter from a licensed healthcare professional. The fair housing act gives you the right to such accommodations.
Reasonable accommodation request: what to include
Include four pieces: who you are, the requested accommodation, the disability related need (no diagnosis), and a reference to the verification letter. Keep it under one page.
Who counts as a healthcare professional
HUD accepts any healthcare professional who knows you and your disability — physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or nurse practitioner. No specialist is required.
Reasonable accommodation letter template
[Your name] [Your address] [Date] [Property name / management company] [Address] RE: Reasonable Accommodation Request — Assistance Animal Dear [Property Manager], I am writing to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. I am a person with a disability that limits one or more major life activities. As such person, I require an assistance animal to use and enjoy my home on equal opportunity terms with other residents. I request that the property's pet policy be waived for my assistance animal, with no pet deposit, pet rent, or breed/size restriction (24 CFR §§100.202–100.204). A verification letter from my healthcare professional, [Provider Name, License #], is enclosed. Sincerely, [Your name] [Phone] | [Email]
Verification letter from healthcare professional
The verification letter states you have a disability that limits major life activities and the assistance animal alleviates symptoms. No diagnosis. CertaPet, Pettable, or ESA Doctors write esa letters; USAR provides registration only.
What the housing provider can and cannot ask
The housing provider may ask for the verification letter and limited disability-related information. They cannot demand your diagnosis or impose pet deposits or breed restrictions on assistance animals. Denial is allowed only for direct threat or substantial damage.
Equal opportunity to use the dwelling
The fair housing act phrases the right as equal opportunity to use the dwelling. Reasonable accommodation delivers it for any person with a disability.
What to do if your request is denied
Re-send in writing. If denial continues, file with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing at 1-800-669-9777 or hud.gov. State agencies accept complaints too.
Summary — what to remember
Common questions about fha reasonable accommodation letter
Do I have to use this exact template?
No. The fair housing act does not specify a format. The template covers HUD’s expected fields; you can rewrite in your own words.
Who can write the verification letter?
Any healthcare professional who knows you and your disability — physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or nurse practitioner.
Can my landlord charge a pet deposit for my assistance animal?
No. The fair housing act bars pet deposits, pet rent, and pet fees for assistance animals. The landlord can still hold you responsible for actual damage.
Does the request work for an emotional support rabbit or cat?
Yes. The reasonable accommodation request applies to any assistance animal under the FHA — not only dogs.
What if my housing provider asks for my diagnosis?
They cannot. The FHA allows only limited disability-related information to evaluate the request. The verification letter confirms disability without disclosing diagnosis.
How quickly does a housing provider have to respond?
HUD expects a prompt response — generally within 10 to 14 days. Indefinite delay can itself be an FHA violation.
Sources
- Assistance Animals Under the FHA — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- FHEO Notice on Assessing Assistance Animal Requests (2020) — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Final Rule: Traveling by Air With Service Animals (2021 DOT Rule) — U.S. Department of Transportation
- The Fair Housing Act — U.S. Department of Justice