Legitimate ESA Letters for New York City, New York Residents
We match you with a mental health professional licensed in New York. You pay nothing until they approve you, and your signed PDF arrives by email within 10 minutes of that approval.
- Letters from
- $129
- PDF after approval
- 10 min
- If it's a no
- No charge
Renting in New York City
What to Expect From a New York City Landlord
Every state in this list shares the same federal law. What changes city to city is who you are dealing with.
Pre-war walk-ups, co-ops and high-rise rentals, with the highest proportion of board-governed buildings in the country.
Co-op and condo boards decide by committee and meet monthly. Submit in writing early and ask when the next board meeting is.
Do this first in New York CityFind out whether it's a rental, a co-op or a condo before you write. Each routes the request differently.
Whoever your landlord is, the federal Fair Housing Act applies to most rentals in New York City, including buildings with a no-pets policy. A housing provider has to consider a written accommodation request backed by a letter from a licensed professional, and they may contact that professional to verify it.
Common neighbourhoods we write letters for include Astoria, Park Slope, Harlem, the Lower East Side. Visits are by video or phone, so where you live in the metro makes no difference to how quickly you can be seen.
Price and process
Getting Your NY Letter
The price is the same in every city. What follows is the whole process.
- 01Fill out the screening form5 minutes
- 02Talk to a licensed pro20 minutes, by video or phone
- 03Get the answerPDF within 10 minutes of approval
If you're refused
Where to Complain in New York
Fair housing complaints in New York are handled by the New York State Division of Human Rights, and you can also file federally with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Many areas have non-profit fair housing organisations that help tenants at no cost.
Keep dated copies of your written request and any reply — that record is the first thing an agency asks for. This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions
New York City ESA Letter FAQs
How do I get an ESA letter in New York City?
Complete the free screening form, meet a mental health professional licensed in New York for a 20-minute visit by video or phone, and if they approve you your signed PDF arrives within 10 minutes. You are not charged unless you are approved.
What should I do differently in New York City?
Find out whether it's a rental, a co-op or a condo before you write. Each routes the request differently. Beyond that, the process is the same as anywhere else in New York: the letter has to come from a New York-licensed professional who evaluated you.
Can my New York City building apply its breed or weight limit to my ESA?
Generally not. Breed bans and weight caps in a pet policy do not normally apply to an assistance animal. A housing provider can only object based on your individual animal's actual conduct or history, not on its breed or size.
Does my provider have to be licensed in New York?
Yes. The letter has to come from someone licensed to practise in New York, because that licence is what a New York City landlord verifies against the state register. A letter signed by a provider licensed elsewhere fails that check, which is the most common reason a request is refused.
Can one letter cover more than one animal in New York City?
Yes. One letter names up to two animals at $129, or three or more at $199, with no per-animal fee inside a tier. Your landlord assesses each animal individually, so each one is named and described separately.
What if my New York City landlord says no?
Ask for the reason in writing. If the refusal cites a pet policy rather than a specific concern about your animal, say so in writing and refer to the Fair Housing Act. If it stands and you believe it was wrong, you can file a complaint with HUD or with the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Can I fly out of New York City with my emotional support animal?
As a pet, under the airline's own pet policy. Since January 2021 airlines have not been required to treat emotional support animals as service animals, and essentially none do. Trained psychiatric service dogs are still accepted, using the Department of Transportation's service animal form.