I would not do it.

Of course a realtor wants to benefit from a "sale'. They are in the commission business.

Go directly to the condo board and plead your case, they may make an exception, since your mother is ill.

You need an ESA to get the condo so it wouldn’t be lying (I say this largely with humor) I’ve never known a condo to not allow pets (apartments yes obviously). So crazy- you own the unit. One more reason not to buy a condo! (Again in jest, I understand your situation)

Yes, it is wrong. I run an inn and I get this often. I also have a cousin who uses a service dog and another who trains them. It is a huge insult. Like using grandpa’s handicap parking pass when he isn’t with you.

There's real certification for these animals.Thinking there are doctors have the responsibility and lack of professionalism to write one is doubtful. Animal free places deserve their right to be animal free. Find another place. I doubt very much that an apartment building has to take an animal no matter how it's certified. The owners have the right to protect their property, the way they choose. Trained support animals are possibly exempt due to their training. There's a trust factor with a trained animal. And so no it is not ethical and I might report said realtor to their superior if not the State licensing board.

I am so glad that no one agreed that it would be somehow OK to perpetuate a fraud. I liked the comparison someone made to using Grandpa's Handicap Parking Pass.

You all have restored my faith in humanity --at least for the afternoon.

I actually could qualify for an ESA because I have generalized anxiety disorder and there are plenty of doctors who would write a letter on my behalf. BUT, I'm so grateful that my anxiety is under check and I do not need an ESA in order to live a healthy life. Save the designation for those who need it.

I might report said realtor to their superior

The superior gets a cut of the realtor's sales. I suspect they wouldn't much care.

Well I dunno...I think it is justified in your situation. Your mother has cancer and you made the move to be there for her. It seems to me that this is a situation where, whether you realize it or not, you are bringing your pup as an emotional support animal.

So by your definition, Rocky, every loved pet is an emotional support animal. I think landlords should have some say whether their space is occupied by an animal or not.

No I don't think it is ethical, and because the laws on this subject are not 100% clear and are subject to creative interpretation, there are lots of people who abuse these ESA designations.

The only dogs that should really qualify are true service dogs, that have been trained for specific behaviors that help their owner's disability. Most "ESA" dogs would fail the most basic tests that service dogs master during their training.

Many businesses let people with fake "ESA" dogs in, because they are afraid of being sued or harassed, which just emboldens the next group and we get even more fake "ESA" dogs being allowed inside businesses, housing, transportation, etc.

Unethical.

It's a shame rockybird posted her justification of an action is clearly unethical.

@Stax I completely disagree. This not a service animal. This is an emotional support animal. She has moved to care for her mother with cancer with her dog. If her physician is willing to write a letter stating the dog is an emotional support dog, then I wholly agree. If she went through the motions to do this, then I would trust that she truly needed the dog on that level. Dealing with a parent with cancer is certainly an emotionally stressful and difficult time.

Everyone needs support when they are going through a family illness. And, I love my dog to pieces, and needed to bring her with me. But that is very different than medically needing a dog in order to be mentally stable. This is not a landlord situation. I am looking to buy a condo.

If you don’t feel you can justify the dog as an emotional animal, then of course it’s not ethical. But if you were considering it because of the situation, and your physician agreed, then I think it would be fine.

Sorry you are having such a hard time finding an acceptable place, on top of your mom’s cancer. i hope that taking the high road brings you good condo karma and that something opens up in that one building soon.

Emotional support animals are pets. Service dogs are workers. ESAs are not the exeption to a ’no pets’ rule. They are ’pets’ under the rule. Only Service Animals who perform an actual job are excepted. People often get the two designations mixed up.

auntthelma: You may or may not be legally correct, but that's irrelevant. There is no way on earth a jury is going to evict a sympathatic pet owner claiming an ESA exception. Not happening.

I understand the issue for landlords and pets but honestly in a place I own I should not have to follow this silly rule . My pet is my responsibility in my home and I find it ridiculous to have to lie to have a pet in a home owned by me . Probably the reason I will never live in a condo or a home in an HOA. MY home my rules .I think you need to rsprctful of others when you own a pet of course so no barking for a long time no peeing on bushes the normal things that every pet owner needs to be aware of .

joseph, as manager of an inn, it is part of my job to know this particular law.

Unethical. Regardless of whether you agree with or understand the rule, it's still unethical.

Emotional support animals are pets. Service dogs are workers.

Useful distinction @auntthelma

My pet is my responsibility in my home and I find it ridiculous to have to lie to have a pet in a home owned by me ....I think you need to rsprctful of others when you own a pet of course so no barking for a long time no peeing on bushes the normal things that every pet owner needs to be aware of .

Well, I live in a coop so technically my home is owned by a corporation of share holders. I adore apartment living. The pet part of it, not so much.

Just like self-centered parents whose children always come first and can do no wrong, so many pet owners think the world revolves around their dog. Whether you live in an apartment, HOA house, or a .home of your own, idiots let their dogs bark, run free, piss in inappropriate areas, knock over kids and elders. Many neighbors, friends, and family members who I know and love are obnoxious pet owners and ruin it for those of us who are considerate.

I'm glad to know you would not do it, Kendrah! How awkward it would be if you got an apartment this way and had to see all your neighbors every day as you take your (non-service) dog out for a walk.

There are legal differences between service dogs and emotional support dogs. I have a friend who thinks she can get her dog on an airplane for free if she just buys a vest from Amazon.

Anyone who trys to pass off a regular pet as a service animal makes it harder for those that really need them. I know my dog would not pass as a trained service dog as I'm actually his ESA!

I worked in the humane industry where I worked with a group that provided care for animals owned by people who truly needed the support of their animals, including agoraphobics, people who were terminally ill, homeless people who need both the support and protection of their pets, people with PTSD along with service dogs who helped with physical support. I also worked with Social Services with children who had been sexually or physically abused. These kids often had difficulty trusting a person, but would talk to an animal. We had several animals who were super gentle, patient lap animals that wouldn't react badly if the kids lost it, but just stayed calm and snuggled. After working in the humane industry I went to work with San Diego Mental Health Systems.

@auntthelma - To say that ESAs are simply pets is so wrong. There are some people who abuse the system and sadly there are doctors who will write letters for anyone, but for many people suffering from chronic depression or anxiety, who have suffered some traumatic event, their ESA may be the only thing getting them through the day. I remember during the late 80s, early 90s we had a large population of people who were diagnosed with AIDS. People were frightened and didn't want to be around someone with AIDS. Families and friends often abandoned them and the only living being that provided support were their cat or dog that laid on the bed with them. One of the organizations I worked with was started when a gentleman with AIDS was hospitalized. His landlord called his parents and they came and took his dogs and had them euthanized. He came home from the hospital to find the only support he had had been killed. Two weeks later he committed suicide. We decided to create a support organization that would foster and care for animals for anyone who was terminally ill.

In California there are three different designations, Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals and Psychiatric Support Animals.

ESAs do not need any special training and are there simply as an emotional support for a person.

SAs, like seeing eye dogs, dogs for hearing impaired, dogs that can sense seizures and those trained to assist with answering doors or retrieving things for someone with a physical disability need to be certified as a service dog / service animal (most are dogs, but there are other animals that can be certified.

PSAs are a hybrid. Most are dogs. They may be trained to gently wake a person with PTSD when the person is having nightmares, they may be trained to remind owners to take their medications, they may be trained to press an alert if their owner is having a panic attack or harming themselves or they may apply deep pressure massage to help calm their owner.

Each state has different laws regarding the rules for ESAs and PSAs. Some states don't designate PSAs any differently than ESAs although the role and training may be different.

In California a landlord must allow ESAs PSAs and SAs.

It is sad that people with real needs are made to suffer because there are unethical, selfish people who abuse the system.

Jennifer, my comment was short and to the point. Yours is very detailed and very helpful. My sentence, ”ESA’s are pets.” was short and not detailed. What I meant was ESA’s are considered pets when looking for an exception to a ”no pets allowed” policy. I am familiar with the law in my state. California’s law sounds progressive and very humane. 👍

@Jennifer Hogan What incredible work you are doing. Thanks for the great description and examples.

ESAs in housing are a very different thing than ESAs anywhere else. The legal gist is that yes, ESAs can be viewed as "just pets" in pretty much any other setting you can think of - but there is a different legal standard that applies to ESAs and housing.

The federal Fair Housing Act applies to all states.

I am not weighing in on any one person's individual situation. It's just important to know that the law as it relates to someone's ability to have an ESA in their own home (whether said home is owned or rented) is different than any other public space.

@Jennifer Hogan, seconding Krista’s thanks.

It never ceases to amaze me what some salespeople will do in search of a commission (and I used to be one of them - not houses, boats, but still…) Definitely unethical, and good on you for not playing along.

I have spent way too much time in grocery stores where people are wandering around with either a) a wee tiny dor (or dogs) in the baskets of their carts, which seems pretty unsanitary for the next user, or b) enormous beasts like GSDs or standard poodles (both of which I adore, just not at the market) to believe that all of these are truly support animals. Especially the ones that appear to be badly trained. Unfortunately, the scammers make it rough for people for whom a support dog is a real necessity.

@ auntthelma - I had to verify that this had changed but currently the Federal Fair Housing Act recognizes ESAs as Assistance Animals and all 50 states fall under their rule.

ESAs are not pets in any state. Landlords cannot deny them housing and cannot charge additional pet deposits.

What Is an Assistance Animal?

An assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person’s disability. An assistance animal is not a pet.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/assistance_animals

Hotels/ transient housing is not bound by the same rules and the ADA only covers Service Animals, not Assistance Animals.

"joseph, as manager of an inn, it is part of my job to know this particular law."

Your comment shows you've missed my point. The law is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is one's position of strength and sympathy rules.

I see i was talking restaurants and hotels, but the issue here is home. Agree that is a big and important difference.

You’re absolutely right to feel uneasy about the suggestion from the realtors. Using an emotional support animal (ESA) letter to bypass a no-pets policy can be seen as unethical, especially when it’s done purely to circumvent rules and not for legitimate health reasons. While ESAs can be incredibly beneficial for those who truly need them, misusing the system can undermine the value of ESAs and negatively affect those who rely on them for support.

Your stance shows a lot of integrity, and I agree with you that following the rules and respecting the policies of each building is important, not only for your own peace of mind but for the overall community dynamic. It’s understandable that you'd want to live near your parents during a challenging time, but going about it in an honest way will save you from potential conflict down the road. If moving closer to your parents is urgent, perhaps you could explore short-term rental options in pet-friendly buildings until a longer-term solution comes up.

You are correct to feel wrong to go the ESA route. The realtor is sleazy for suggesting it, Par for the course for some of them. An ESA is Not consider a Service Animal. It is a pet. Service Animals must go through rigorous training along with the human that is getting one. Getting a piece of paper off of the Internet or a crappy doctor giving a letter is pretty low.

Glad you see how bad it would be to do so.

nancylouise5me - you are very wrong when you say and ESA is just a pet. Please see my explanation in the previous comments. If you ever worked with a 5 year old who was sexually abused and has shrunk inside themselves you may reconsider the value of an emotional support animal.

Sadly there are too many of the internet shortcuts to getting an ESA letter and it makes us forget the true purpose of the designation.

No, i am not wrong. An ESA may offer comfort, just like any pet does to an individual or family. That is not training. I have seen true Service dogs attacked by so called ESA dogs, dinners disrupted by ESA. They are not trained Service Dogs. They are pets. Which is fine, they have their place in the world. Just don't try and put them on the same level as true Service Dogs.

nancylouise5me - I didn't say an ESA was a trained service dog, but not only according to me, a person with 30+ years of experience working with Humane Services and Mental Health Services, but also per federal law, ESAs are not the same as a pet.

Same as Medical Marijuana, ESA letters can be legitimate or simply prescribed/written by some online company who is hiring unethical physicians to approve anyone willing to pay for their approval. It never means that everyone who uses Medical Marijuana is using it purely for recreational purposes or that every ESA is just a pet.

Nancy and Jennifer are both right about ESAs. In some settings they are absolutely entitled to extra considerations - and in others the ESA designation doesn't have to mean diddly if the person/corporation who owns said space has a "no pets" rule. It all comes down to what law/s apply in the setting at hand.

It can be a somewhat murky area and anyone considering not allowing an ESA in a space they own should consult with an attorney. Almost impossible to prohibit in housing, far easier in employment and most other public settings.

Like when the guy with the dog insists on his right to ride in a public cab with his dog... next passenger - the one with the severe dog allergies - ends up sneeing and eyes watering all day.

Yeah, and the guy who is allergic to dog is wearing boatloads of cologne and them I'm sneezing and my eyes are watering all day.