Emotional support animals?

[Sunnyryuji]

Hello. I'd like to start this post saying I know it'd be better if we could just officially add our cats to the lease and that this is sort of scummy, but that's not what I'm asking. I just want to know if anyone else has gone through this and what the results were. Thank you in advance for any help. I also apologize if this isn't the correct section.

The situation is that my husband and I acquired 2 cats during our time at our last apartment. My husband didn't want to pay the associated fees so he never told the complex about them, but at that complex they really never checked in on the units or anything. We moved to our current complex late last year and again didn't put the cats on the lease. However this complex is much more involved with checking the units, and today we received paperwork regarding an "audit" and it is asking for information on pets. I'm assuming that "audit" means they will eventually come inspect the unit to compare to their paperwork.

Anyway, I thought it's about time to add them to the lease, but my husband is arguing we can register them as emotional support animals, that way we wouldn't have to pay anything for them. He wants to order a letter off one of those online websites. I wouldn't be against doing it but I guess I'm worried that somehow it won't work out. We both have conditions that could reasonably require a support animal but idk. Has this worked out for anyone? Thank you again for any advice.

 

[game misconduct]

Hello. I'd like to start this post saying I know it'd be better if we could just officially add our cats to the lease and that this is sort of scummy, but that's not what I'm asking. I just want to know if anyone else has gone through this and what the results were. Thank you in advance for any help. I also apologize if this isn't the correct section.

The situation is that my husband and I acquired 2 cats during our time at our last apartment. My husband didn't want to pay the associated fees so he never told the complex about them, but at that complex they really never checked in on the units or anything. We moved to our current complex late last year and again didn't put the cats on the lease. However this complex is much more involved with checking the units, and today we received paperwork regarding an "audit" and it is asking for information on pets. I'm assuming that "audit" means they will eventually come inspect the unit to compare to their paperwork.

Anyway, I thought it's about time to add them to the lease, but my husband is arguing we can register them as emotional support animals, that way we wouldn't have to pay anything for them. He wants to order a letter off one of those online websites. I wouldn't be against doing it but I guess I'm worried that somehow it won't work out. We both have conditions that could reasonably require a support animal but idk. Has this worked out for anyone? Thank you again for any advice.

i think they would need to have some sort of certification etc. along with paper work from your doctors i would assume the apartments i live in charge a fee(50 bux)per cat/dog but its more for covering any damages the pet might cause to the apartment pee stains etc on the carpet ohhh and the fee also pays the pest control guy to to spray for fleas and such that come around during summer from those people who dont treat their dogs its horrible walking through the hallways and watching fleas jump onto your socks they inspect yearly and make any repairs needed also they have on our lease agreement that any damage caused by an unreported pet at the time we move out. all repair fees will be our responsibility etc.i would just go with your gut feelings its telling you be honest about things then be honest nothing bad ever comes out from being honest

 

[game misconduct]

forgot one really important bit to living in apartments there always will be a plumbing crisis sooner or later where the maintenance guys will have to enter your place whether its a busted pipe upstairs above you or one in your home if they go in to repair etc or clean the flooded area up inside not knowing you have cats and just leave your front door open so your cats escape then

 

[GoldyCat]

I strongly advise you not to try to claim them as emotional support animals, especially buying a letter off the internet. This practice has become so well known that many places no longer accept any letters, even when they're legitimate. Several airlines have recently instituted new policies that do not allow ESAs to travel without paying the full fee. If your apartment management is really strict with their pet policy you could end up with extra fees/fines for trying to cheat your way out of paying.

 

[Sunnyryuji]

forgot one really important bit to living in apartments there always will be a plumbing crisis sooner or later where the maintenance guys will have to enter your place whether its a busted pipe upstairs above you or one in your home if they go in to repair etc or clean the flooded area up inside not knowing you have cats and just leave your front door open so your cats escape then

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I probably will go with my gut and be honest. And that's a good point it'd be good for them to know if they had to enter in case of emergency.

 

[Sunnyryuji]

I strongly advise you not to try to claim them as emotional support animals, especially buying a letter off the internet. This practice has become so well known that many places no longer accept any letters, even when they're legitimate. Several airlines have recently instituted new policies that do not allow ESAs to travel without paying the full fee. If your apartment management is really strict with their pet policy you could end up with extra fees/fines for trying to cheat your way out of paying.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I felt really iffy about it so I'm glad to know that it could end up backfiring.

 

[Katie M]

My cats are emotional support animals, but I got my letter from my psychiatrist. I feel like I would be a bigger mess without them. Please don't do it just to avoid paying for them.

 

[Beholder]

My complex accepts one support animal per unit, but requires a letter from a local psychologist, not just some random letter you can buy off the internet. Our apartment actually charges $75 for pet rent (per cat) as well as an additional $500 deposit (per cat) so it's tough. This may be an unpopular opinion, but if you are worried and are afraid of paying the fees or potential eviction notices, I suggest you get documentation for at least one cat as an emotional support animal. It's not difficult to do if you're able to see a psychiatrist and TBH I think many of us here view are animals as such. This is really dependent on what your complex allows though. Do they allow two cats? If that's the case I think it might be better to just pay the deposit/pet rent versus perusing it further.

A big question: How do you think the complex found out? Was it because of cats in the windows or did a maintenance person see? Is there any way they may know there are multiple cats in the apartment? My complex will charge a multi-thousand dollar fee if caught with any animal not written into the lease, including visitors. Without documentation, if you say....take the cats on a mini vacation and remove all signs of them...they can't do anything. This being said you must weigh your options. Depending on the state you live in, evictions can happen without substantial warning.

 

[Willowy]

If you both have legitimate cobditions, why not talk to your doctors and do it the right way?

 

[Sunnyryuji]

My complex accepts one support animal per unit, but requires a letter from a local psychologist, not just some random letter you can buy off the internet. Our apartment actually charges $75 for pet rent (per cat) as well as an additional $500 deposit (per cat) so it's tough. This may be an unpopular opinion, but if you are worried and are afraid of paying the fees or potential eviction notices, I suggest you get documentation for at least one cat as an emotional support animal. It's not difficult to do if you're able to see a psychiatrist and TBH I think many of us here view are animals as such. This is really dependent on what your complex allows though. Do they allow two cats? If that's the case I think it might be better to just pay the deposit/pet rent versus perusing it further.

A big question: How do you think the complex found out? Was it because of cats in the windows or did a maintenance person see? Is there any way they may know there are multiple cats in the apartment? My complex will charge a multi-thousand dollar fee if caught with any animal not written into the lease, including visitors. Without documentation, if you say....take the cats on a mini vacation and remove all signs of them...they can't do anything. This being said you must weigh your options. Depending on the state you live in, evictions can happen without substantial warning.

Thank you for sharing your opinion. My complex does allow two pets, and I'd be fine paying extra rent. The big reason I've hesitated so much is they want a non refundable deposit of $650. However, I think I'll take your advice and bite the bullet and pay until I'm able to get in with a psychologist. They haven't found out anything yet, but they seem to be planning on inspecting units soon. We definitely thought about just taking them out of the apartment when the audit happens but they are only required to give us a day's notice and they can then come any time of day, which makes it difficult to plan for. If it comes down to that it's definitely an option though

 

[Sunnyryuji]

If you both have legitimate cobditions, why not talk to your doctors and do it the right way?

Mostly difficulty on getting appointments in my area, for example my husband needed an appointment with GP doctor for reasons unrelated to this issue but was unable to get in until April, and I'm fairly certain they plan on doing the audit soon. But you're right, we should do it legitimately and I'll just pay for them until I'm able to get a legitimate letter.

 

[Willowy]

Your doctor might do a telehealth consultation for this situation. Or might just write the note up without an extra visit. It's worth giving them a call at least.

 

[LTS3]

I think lavishsqualor could provide some general info about ESA and apartment rules etc.

 

[Beholder]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. My complex does allow two pets, and I'd be fine paying extra rent. The big reason I've hesitated so much is they want a non refundable deposit of $650. However, I think I'll take your advice and bite the bullet and pay until I'm able to get in with a psychologist. They haven't found out anything yet, but they seem to be planning on inspecting units soon. We definitely thought about just taking them out of the apartment when the audit happens but they are only required to give us a day's notice and they can then come any time of day, which makes it difficult to plan for. If it comes down to that it's definitely an option though

Got it. Well if you do decide to put them on the lease make sure their vaccinations are up to date. Many apartments require this documentation. Also, do your best to make it seem like they were recently adopted/about to be adopted to avoid paying extra fees (like the multi-thousand dollar one my complex charges ).

 

[lavishsqualor]

He wants to order a letter off one of those online websites. I wouldn't be against doing it but I guess I'm worried that somehow it won't work out. We both have conditions that could reasonably require a support animal but idk. Has this worked out for anyone? Thank you again for any advice.

I think lavishsqualor could provide some general info about ESA and apartment rules etc.

Greetings Sunny! I just saw LTS3's post and would like to offer you some advice. I work in the industry, and the property management company for which I work won't accept certificates purchased from the internet. We require a letter from either a licensed mental health specialist or a physician, on their letterhead, stating that the animals in question are required for the well-being of the owner. We require that letter to be updated every year, too. Additionally, something else that might be helpful to you is that each time a resident calls for maintenance, our maintenance techs are required to notate (A) the unit's housekeeping; e.g., is it clean or a pigsty; (B) whether it appears that there are unauthorized occupants living there, and (C) the existence of any animals. Should a resident be caught with an unauthorized animal, we would serve a Seven Day Notice to Cure. The resident would then have seven days from the date of that notice to either get rid of the animal or provide ESA documentation or pay the appropriate pet deposit. There are companies that will also back charge pet rent from the beginning of the lease.

Putting your pets on your lease is always the "best" thing to do; however, I realize it isn't always financially feasible. Pet deposits and pet rent can be costly.

Keep in mind that, absent a true emergency, management cannot legally enter your apartment without a twenty-four hour written notice. They can conduct all the audits they want; however, they must give you written notice of at least twenty-four hours.

If I were you, I'd go talk to either the assistant manager or the manager (by-pass leasing because they're often wrong about these things) and tell them that you're thinking about getting a cat and want to know what the procedures and costs are. Also tell them that your doctor once mentioned getting an ESA and ask them about their requirements there too.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.[/QUOTE]