How many ESA's are too many?

How many ESA's are too many? When will state legislatures step in to fix this mess? One of my friends just had a resident move in with 4 ESA's. What a load of crap. 4 emotional support dogs for 1 person? Enough with people gaming the system.

Each animal must serve a unique purpose. There really can be limits...

I seem to remember in one of the webinars that you can have more than one Esa but they each have to do something different for you. For example if one dog calms your anxiety, the second can't. It has to be different.

Why in the world would state legislatures ever step in?

In Seattle our corporate office said there is no limit to the number of ESA’s. In my own rental, we have 4, one for each person we’ve always had it that way for nearly a decade now. But yeah, they each serve a different purpose.

You want the states to step in and place restrictions on a federal law? That really isn’t how our governance works.

Miles Scruggs The states can impose penalties for fake ESA claims.

Robert Hoop sure but fake ESA claims doesn’t have anything to do with the quantity of ESAs.

Robert Hoop How can a doctor justify 4 ESA’s?

If ESA’s are considered “people” you can’t have 4 ESA’s in a 1 bedroom or even 2 bedroom (depending on amount of actual humans will reside there) if your community has occupancy standards (which it should). This is how my attorneys always got around it. Have as many damn ESA’s as you want, but you better clean up after them and rent a larger apt to meet occupancy standards. If your apt is deemed below standard at an inspection and you don’t make it right, you are finding a new home. Just because you have multiple ESA’s doesn’t mean you have a right to destroy a home you do not own (I’ve found Apts with multiple ESA’s are generally not kept that clean). I realize cleaning was not an issue for the OP, but with that many animals in an apt it easily becomes one.

The state is more likely to step in and rule that each ESA should be afforded an attorney.

Kevin White sad but true soon in WA state I’m sure

Pet Screening has helped us. Look into it I think the resident pays the fee.

Monique Davidson Yaas you are spot on. Our service is free to our Clients!

We do third party verifications for any kind of assistance animal for instances where the the service the animal provides isn’t immediately obvious (for example, a seeing eye dog for someone who is blind). I know a lot of people can get an ESA certificate online for their pet but the third party verification makes it so that a medical professional has to confirm that the individual is disabled and needs the assistance animal for a specific purpose.

There are doctor out there that will give you a letter for $75.00 no questions

Let me guess… all aggressive breeds that wouldn’t otherwise be allowed?

How did you guess? The aggressive breed status doesn't bother me as much as the number. 4 dogs in one apartment is just over the top.

Robert Hoop, I definitely think that’s too many for 1 apartment.

Victoria Cowart with Petscreening can help.

Look for the HUD clarification letter on ESA's that came out about a year ago. I think it covered multiple ESA's.

How often do properties conduct an ESA? Is it state regulated?

Good points about ESA's. Unless state makes a law to oppose this I have a company policy of not more than one ESA per person. And I require a certification. Also, I have a 24 unit available in Branson Missouri for any one looking to purchase.

The Indiana Apartment Association stepped up to the plate and was able to author a bill and it passed State legislation. It imposes a strict fine for falsely representing a support animal. The IAA has even taken it as far as offering signs to post in the Leasing Centers detailing the penalties.

I like this Jerry Norman in Indiana! People have no shame in denying a Landlord income for an animal or taking advantage of Federal Law. They come armed with the threat of a law suit.
Maybe if there were some consequences for stretching the truth, buying documents, etc.
(The truth is "Pets" are also used by people for emotional support, unconditional love and companionship.) I understand there are circumstances where animals may be medically prescribed, but to Robert Hoop's point, I think we see many others taking advantage of this to get their own way in rental communities ie.. restricted breeds, number of animals, paying no pet charges.

Jerry Minney   - I am interested in discussing your Branson Property. Thank you! [email protected]

As a licensed professional property manager, Founder of PetScreening and a NC state legislator, I’m working on filing legislation that would codify our state’s alignment with the federal guidelines for assistance animals (service and support animals) while also strengthening our state’s penalties for someone committing assistance animal fraud. I’m working with the NC Apartment Association and the NC Association of Realtors (PM Division) on the legislation. For clarity, states are prohibited from passing laws that are more restrictive than federal law but they can make laws less restrictive than federal law.