As more and more people are traveling with their furry companions, the question of whether vacation rentals have to allow emotional support animals is becoming increasingly common. While service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emotional support animals (ESAs) are not covered by the same laws. So, what is the stance of vacation rental companies on ESAs?
What Are Emotional Support Animals?
First, it’s important to understand what an ESA is. Emotional support animals provide comfort and support to individuals who suffer from emotional or psychological disabilities. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require any specific training and can be any type of animal, including dogs, cats, birds, or even snakes.
The Legal Rights of Emotional Support Animals
Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination in housing. This includes a provision that allows individuals with ESAs to keep their animal in their home even if there is a “no pets” policy in place. However, this protection does not extend to hotels or vacation rentals.
While the FHA protects individuals with ESAs in housing situations, other laws such as the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and the ADA do not recognize ESAs as service animals and do not require public accommodations to allow them.
Vacation Rentals and Emotional Support Animals
So where does this leave vacation rental companies? While they are not required by law to allow emotional support animals on their properties, many companies have chosen to adopt policies that do allow them.
For example, Airbnb has a policy that allows both service animals and emotional support animals on their properties as long as they meet certain requirements. These include providing documentation such as a letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that the animal provides emotional support for an individual with a disability.
Other vacation rental companies may have different policies regarding ESAs. It’s important to check with the company before booking to understand their specific policies and whether they will allow your ESA on their property.
The Bottom Line
In summary, while emotional support animals are not protected under the same laws as service animals, some vacation rental companies have chosen to adopt policies that allow them on their properties. However, it’s important to check with the vacation rental company before booking to understand their specific policies and requirements for bringing an ESA.
If you are traveling with an emotional support animal, make sure to have all necessary documentation and be prepared for potential pushback from vacation rental companies that do not have policies allowing ESAs. With proper preparation and research, individuals can still enjoy a comfortable and stress-free vacation with their furry companions.