ESA letter renewal

No expiration date for supporting documentation appears in the Fair Housing Act, in its reasonable accommodation rule at 24 CFR 100.204, or in the Joint Statement that HUD and the Justice Department issued in 2004. Guidance HUD released on May 22, 2026 likewise sets no documentation standard and says nothing about how old a letter may be.

The Joint Statement does let a housing provider seek reliable information about your need when that need isn't apparent. A provider can decide for itself whether an older letter is reliable enough, and some state laws or local practices may influence what's expected. So although no federal expiration date exists, how old your letter is can still make a difference.

Many housing providers ask for an ESA letter dated within about the past year, especially when you sign a new lease or renew an existing one. Their reasoning is that a recent letter better reflects your current condition and need for the animal.

Practices vary widely, and some providers accept older letters without question. If your landlord wants something newer, providing an updated letter is often easier than arguing, though you're entitled to request a written explanation of the policy.

Consider getting an updated letter in these situations.

• You're moving and applying to a new landlord or building
• You're signing a new lease or renewing one, and the provider asks for current documentation
• You're adding a new animal or replacing one that has died
• Your college requires documentation for each academic year
• Your letter is from a therapist you can no longer reach to answer verification questions
• Your situation or symptoms have changed significantly

A renewal follows the same path as your first letter. Booking online is free; next comes a short call (5 to 10 minutes, phone or video) in which a licensed therapist reassesses you, and if an ESA still makes sense, you get a fresh signed ESA letter as a PDF, typically the same day.

Pricing doesn't change: $129 for up to 2 animals, $199 for 3 or more, and $129 for a college housing letter. You're charged only when your letter is issued. Because there's no subscription, we never bill you a yearly fee automatically.

An updated letter shows a new date along with the current therapist's name, type of license, license number and issuing state. It also names the animals your request covers, which makes renewal a good time to confirm that every animal in your home is listed.

As with your original letter, it explains your need in general terms and keeps your diagnosis and medical records private. If your landlord uses a verification form of its own, mention it when you book so the therapist can take it into account.

California's AB 468 requires a client relationship of at least 30 days and a clinical evaluation before a practitioner provides documentation for an emotional support dog. New California clients receive a same-day letter of intent and their ESA letter after a follow-up around day 30.

If you're renewing in California, mention it when you book so we can confirm what timing applies to you.

Federal guidance has moved on since many people got their first letter. HUD withdrew FHEO-2020-01, its 2020 notice, as of September 17, 2025. Under guidance HUD released on May 22, 2026, an untrained emotional support animal isn't presumed reasonable and each request gets an individual review, and HUD dropped its 2020 position that untrained ESAs couldn't be subject to fees.

A renewed letter helps keep your request current, but it can't promise approval. State laws may protect ESAs more than federal guidance does, so check your state guide when you move or renew.

Save every version of your letter, your written requests and your landlord's responses with their dates. If questions come up at renewal time, a clear paper trail makes them easier to answer.

Your mental health care matters beyond the paperwork. If you're in crisis, dial or text 988, and in an emergency, dial 911.