Texas · ESA Letter
Texas ESA Housing Accommodation Request
Texas ESA holders benefit from the federal FHA and Texas's 2023 ESA housing law (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.358, enacted via HB 1709), which clarifies the request process, prohibits ESA-related fees, and specifies what documentation landlords can require. Texas is one of a small number of states that enacted specific ESA housing legislation, providing clearer guidance than the federal framework alone.
Texas enacted HB 1709 in 2023 requiring landlords to follow a specific process for ESA requests and prohibiting them from charging fees, clarifying rights for Texas ESA holders.
Governing law
42 U.S.C. § 3604 (FHA) + Tex. Prop. Code § 92.358 (ESA housing, 2023)
Start Your Texas ESA Housing Letter
Cites 42 U.S.C. § 3604 (FHA) + Tex. Prop. Code § 92.358 (ESA housing, 2023). Formatted for USPS Certified Mail. Instant PDF.
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Texas ESA Letter FAQs
What does Texas's 2023 ESA law require?▾
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.358: landlords must respond to ESA accommodation requests within 10 days, cannot charge pet deposits or fees for an ESA, can request documentation from a healthcare provider, and cannot require documentation beyond what the federal HUD guidance specifies. Denials without a valid reason are actionable under the Texas Fair Housing Act.
Can my Texas landlord ask for more than an ESA letter?▾
Landlords can request reliable documentation from a healthcare provider establishing the disability-related need for the ESA. Under HUD 2020 guidance, this typically means a letter from a licensed healthcare provider. Texas law does not allow landlords to require registration, certification, or proof from a 'legitimate' ESA registry, no such legal registry exists.
What if my Texas landlord denies my ESA request?▾
File a complaint with HUD (hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp) within 1 year of the denial. File a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division. You can also file suit in federal or state court under the FHA and Texas Fair Housing Act, seeking actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.
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