Emotional Support Animal Verification
Summary
In Georgia, landlords can verify emotional support animal (ESA) letters without needing the therapists physical address. They can use the therapists license number and issuing state for validation. While landlords can request to speak with the therapist, its not required by law. If a landlord insists on a physical address, remind them of the Fair Housing Act and Georgia law. For apartment inspections, landlords must provide reasonable notice, and this week may not be sufficient. Consult your lease and local tenant rights organizations for further guidance.Full Conversation
I have a cat, and can not have animals in my apartment. My landlord accepts emotional support animals. The therapist lives in Mississippi, but is licenced out of Georgia. My landlord is asking for a physical address to the therapist, and the therapist is refusing to provide a physical address, but has listed her licence number, email, and phone number in the letter I provided to my landlord. Is my landlord legally obligated to a physical address to the therapist?
Hello ****, your landlord has the right to verify the authenticity of your emotional support animal letter. However, the Fair Housing Act doesn't require a physical address. It generally requires:
- Therapist's name
- Professional license number
- Issuing state
- Date of issue
- Type of animal
Please confirm the state where you reside for more specific information.
- Therapist's name
- Professional license number
- Issuing state
- Date of issue
- Type of animal
Please confirm the state where you reside for more specific information.
Georgia
In Georgia, the Fair Housing Act applies. This does not require a physical address of the therapist. It should include:
- Therapist's name
- License number
- Issuing state
- Date of issue
- Type of animal
Your landlord should accept these details.
- Therapist's name
- License number
- Issuing state
- Date of issue
- Type of animal
Your landlord should accept these details.
In Georgia does my landlord need to contact my therapist to verify my emotional support animal
In Georgia, while your landlord has a right to verify the emotional support animal letter, they aren't legally obligated to directly contact your therapist. They can verify the therapist's license using the provided license number and issuing state.
Can my landlord speak to my therapist to verify my ESA letter?
In Georgia, your landlord can request to verify your ESA letter. However, the law doesn't specify that they must speak directly to your therapist. They can validate the therapist's license with the provided number and issuing state.
In Georgia, is it illegal to speak to my therapist Abt my ESA letter?
In Georgia, it's not illegal for your landlord to speak with your therapist about your ESA letter, provided they have your consent. However, they aren't required by law to do so. They can verify the ESA letter using the therapist's license number and state of issue.
Is it illegal for my landlord to ask for a physical address of my therapist?
No, it's not illegal for your landlord to ask for your therapist's physical address. However, under Georgia law and the Fair Housing Act, providing a physical address isn't necessary for validating an ESA letter. Your landlord can verify the letter using the therapist's license number and state of issue.
How can I write my landlord a letter stating she does not need a physical address of my therapist?
Dear [Landlord's Name],
I would like to clarify that according to the Fair Housing Act and Georgia law, it isn't necessary to provide a physical address for validating my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter. Verification can be done using the therapist's license number and issuing state.
Best,
****
I would like to clarify that according to the Fair Housing Act and Georgia law, it isn't necessary to provide a physical address for validating my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter. Verification can be done using the therapist's license number and issuing state.
Best,
****
Why would my landlord want the physical address to my therapist?
Your landlord might want your therapist's physical address for additional verification of their authenticity. However, under Georgia law and the Fair Housing Act, providing a physical address isn't necessary. The landlord can verify the therapist's credentials using their license number and state of issue.
What to do if my landlord keeps pushing for a physical address to my therapist
You can remind your landlord that under Georgia law and the Fair Housing Act, the physical address of the therapist isn't required to validate an ESA letter. If they persist, consider seeking legal advice.
Can my landlord enter my apartment whenever they want
No, your landlord can't enter your apartment whenever they want. In Georgia, they must provide a notice and have a valid reason, such as emergency, repair, or inspection. It's important to check your lease agreement for specifics.
My landlord sends out notifications for an inspection but only says "this week" so I don't know when they will come. It puts stress on me and my life because I don't know what day they will come. Is this pegal?
In Georgia, landlords must provide "reasonable notice" for non-emergencies. While "this week" is a notice, it may not be considered reasonable. Consult your lease agreement and consider speaking with a local tenants' rights organization for further advice.