A 'no pets' lease clause cannot be used to deny a reasonable accommodation request for a service animal or ESA. These animals are not 'pets' under the law — they are disability accommodations, and the landlord must consider your request regardless of their pet policy.
A landlord may request documentation confirming your disability and the animal's role — but cannot demand your specific diagnosis, medical records, or certification from a particular doctor. Excessive documentation demands are themselves a FEHA violation.
When we prevail under California's FEHA or the federal Fair Housing Act, the landlord pays all attorney fees. You pay nothing out of pocket.
Do I Qualify?
Did a landlord deny
your service animal
or ESA request?
You do not need a formal disability diagnosis to have an ESA claim — you need documentation that you have a disability-related need for the animal. We evaluate service animal and ESA housing discrimination cases at no cost.
Service Animal & ESA Landlord Violations
How landlords violate service animal and ESA rights
Refusing an ESA or service animal request by citing the lease's no-pets clause — without conducting any individualized assessment of whether the accommodation is reasonable.
Demanding specific medical diagnoses, HIPAA-protected records, certification from a particular provider, or 'ESA letters' from specific websites — when California law limits documentation requirements.
Charging a pet deposit, pet rent, or other fee for a service animal or ESA — which is prohibited under both California law and the federal Fair Housing Act.
Approving the ESA or service animal during tenancy, then attempting to revoke approval — through lease renewal terms, notices, or threats of eviction.
Retaliating against a tenant who requested an ESA accommodation — including rent increases, notices to cure or quit, or other adverse actions shortly after the request.
Applying breed or size restrictions to a service animal or ESA that the landlord's no-pets policy imposes on regular pets — which is prohibited for disability accommodations.
Make your request in writing. Send a letter or email to your landlord requesting a reasonable accommodation for your service animal or ESA, and attach your healthcare provider's documentation. Keep a copy. This written request triggers the landlord's legal obligation to respond and engage in an interactive process.
Landlords cannot charge a pet deposit for a service animal or ESA. If your landlord required a pet deposit — even if you paid it — that charge may itself be a FEHA violation and the deposit may be recoverable as damages in addition to any other relief.
Why AJG Law Group
Why AJG Law Group
for your service animal claim?
Service animal and ESA housing discrimination cases are among the most clear-cut FEHA violations — landlords frequently refuse without any legal basis. We handle these cases statewide with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
We handle service animal and ESA housing cases under both California's FEHA and the federal Fair Housing Act — pursuing every available claim for maximum recovery.
When we prevail, your landlord pays all attorney fees. You pay nothing out of pocket.
AJG Law Group serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients across all of California. Hablamos español.
