Published September 02, 2026 · Indiana

Sample Indiana ESA Accommodation Request Letter for Landlords (2026 Template)

Requesting a reasonable accommodation for an emotional support animal can feel intimidating, especially if you're unsure what to say to a landlord or property manager. Under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Indiana Fair Housing Act (Indiana Code § 22-9.5), tenants with a disability-related need may request that a housing provider waive a no-pets policy or pet fee for an emotional support animal. The request itself, however, has to be made correctly and supported by proper documentation to be effective. This guide walks through exactly how to build that request, includes a ready-to-use Indiana ESA accommodation letter template, and flags the mistakes that most often cause a landlord to push back or delay a response.

What You'll Need Before You Write Your Request

Before drafting anything, gather the following:

• An ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other licensed clinician who is licensed in Indiana (or has an appropriate treatment relationship with you) and who, after an individualized evaluation, has determined that an emotional support animal may be therapeutically appropriate for your circumstances.
• Your landlord or property management company's mailing or email address, along with the correct department for accommodation requests if your building has one.
• A copy of your current lease, so you can reference the specific no-pets clause or pet-fee policy you're asking to be waived.
• Basic information about your animal, species and, if relevant to building safety concerns, general behavior information. Landlords are generally not entitled to your specific diagnosis or detailed medical records.
• A copy of HUD's Notice FHEO-2020-01 ("Assessing a Person's Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act") on hand for reference, in case your housing provider is unfamiliar with the standard for evaluating these requests.

Note that Indiana does not require a minimum length of clinical relationship before an LMHP can issue an ESA letter, unlike states such as California or Montana. That said, a licensed clinician will still need to conduct a genuine evaluation, there is no such thing as an instant or guaranteed letter, and reputable clinicians will decline to issue one if an ESA isn't clinically appropriate for you.

Step-by-Step: How to Submit Your ESA Accommodation Request

Step 1: Confirm Your Letter Meets Indiana Standards

Review your Indiana ESA letter and FHA housing rights before sending anything. A compliant letter should be on the clinician's letterhead, state their license type and that they are licensed to practice in Indiana, confirm they have evaluated you, and state that an ESA may be recommended as part of your treatment. It should not need to name your specific diagnosis.

Step 2: Identify the Correct Recipient

Send your request to whoever manages accommodation requests for your property, this may be a leasing office, an HOA board, or an individual landlord. Sending it to the wrong party can cause delays that are easily avoided by checking your lease or building directory first.

Step 3: Draft a Clear, Written Request

Put your request in writing (email is generally sufficient) rather than relying on a verbal conversation. A written request creates a timestamped record, which matters if a dispute arises later. Reference the specific lease clause or building policy you're asking to be waived, and attach your ESA letter.

Step 4: Attach Your ESA Letter and Send

Attach a clear copy (PDF preferred over a photo) of your ESA letter to the email or physical letter. Keep a copy of everything you send for your own records, including the date it was sent.

Step 5: Allow a Reasonable Response Window

Housing providers are generally expected to respond promptly, though "promptly" isn't a fixed number of days under the FHA. Many tenants find it reasonable to follow up in writing after seven to ten business days if they haven't heard back.

Step 6: Know What to Do If You Encounter Resistance

Some landlords, especially those with a blanket no-pets policy in Indiana, may not initially understand that a no-pets policy does not override a valid reasonable accommodation request under the FHA. If your landlord denies the request, delays unreasonably, or asks for information beyond what HUD guidance permits (such as your full medical record), you have options, see the appeal steps below.

Sample Indiana ESA Accommodation Letter Template

The following is a general-purpose esa accommodation letter template Indiana tenants can adapt for their own housing accommodation request. This is a tenant-to-landlord cover letter that accompanies your clinician's ESA letter, it is not a substitute for that clinical letter.

[Your Name]
[Your Current Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

[Landlord/Property Manager Name]
[Property Management Company, if applicable]
[Address]

RE: Request for Reasonable Accommodation, Emotional Support Animal

Dear [Landlord/Property Manager Name],

I am writing to formally request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act and the Indiana Fair Housing Act (Ind. Code § 22-9.5) to keep an emotional support animal in my residence at [unit address], notwithstanding the property's pet policy set out in Section [__] of my lease.

I have attached a letter from my licensed mental health professional confirming that, based on an individualized evaluation, an emotional support animal may be appropriate as part of my treatment. As you may know, HUD's guidance (Notice FHEO-2020-01) confirms that emotional support animals are not considered pets for purposes of a housing provider's no-pets policy when a qualifying request has been made.

My animal is a [species/breed, if relevant]. I am happy to provide reasonable assurances regarding the animal's care and behavior, and to discuss any legitimate safety or property concerns you may have. I understand that I remain responsible for any damage caused by the animal, consistent with standard lease terms that apply to all tenants.

Please let me know if you require any additional information permitted under the FHA to process this request. I would appreciate a written response at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending an ESA letter from an online-only registry or certificate mill. HUD has explicitly confirmed that ESA "registries," ID cards, and certificates carry no legal weight. Only a letter from a licensed mental health professional satisfies the FHA standard.
• Assuming the letter grants travel rights. Since the Department of Transportation removed ESAs from the Air Carrier Access Act in 2021, airlines are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals the way they once did. This letter addresses housing only.
• Volunteering your diagnosis or full medical file. A landlord may verify that a disability-related need exists, but is not entitled to your specific diagnosis or clinical notes.
• Waiting until move-in day to make the request. Submit your request as early as possible, ideally before signing a lease or well before your animal arrives, to give your housing provider reasonable time to respond.
• Not following up in writing. Verbal conversations are hard to document later. Keep a paper trail.

What to Expect

Many tenants who submit a complete, properly documented request find that landlords grant the accommodation without extensive back-and-forth, particularly once a compliant ESA letter is attached. That said, every property and every clinical evaluation is individual, there is no guaranteed or automatic approval, and a landlord retains the right to ask clarifying questions permitted under HUD guidance. If your request is denied or you believe you're being treated unfairly, review the options in our guide on what to do if your Indiana ESA letter is denied and how to appeal.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, mental-health, or legal advice. Whether an emotional support animal is appropriate for you is a clinical determination that only a licensed mental health professional can make after an individualized evaluation, consult an Indiana-licensed clinician to discuss your specific situation. For questions about a specific housing dispute, lease interpretation, or a denied accommodation request, consult an Indiana-licensed attorney or contact your local legal aid office for guidance on enforcing your rights under the Fair Housing Act.