How Georgia Fair Housing Laws Protect ESA Owners

How Georgia Fair Housing Laws Protect ESA Owners

For individuals who rely on emotional support animals (ESAs) for mental or emotional well-being, Georgia’s fair housing laws offer powerful protections. These laws are not just policies on paper—they can dramatically impact a person's quality of life, especially when it comes to securing stable, pet-friendly housing. At PetCerts.com, we understand how vital these protections are for those with psychiatric service dogs (PSDs), and we help make access easier for those who qualify.

What the Law Says: Fair Housing in Georgia

Georgia adheres to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), which prohibits housing discrimination against people with disabilities. This includes the right to keep an emotional support animal, even in housing with strict “no pet” policies. Under the FHA, landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with a mental or emotional disability who require the support of an ESA.

Here's what that means in practice:

• A landlord cannot charge pet fees or deposits for an ESA.

• They cannot deny housing based solely on breed, size, or type of the ESA.

• They are not allowed to ask for extensive medical records—only a letter from a licensed professional attesting to the individual’s need is required.

This is where it gets important: Georgia law mirrors these protections and ensures landlords uphold them.

ESAs vs. PSDs: Know the Difference

While ESAs offer emotional comfort, psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) are trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s mental health condition. These tasks can range from interrupting anxiety attacks to providing deep pressure therapy. Because PSDs are legally recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they carry even stronger protections—both in housing and when traveling.

At PetCerts.com, we provide access to licensed professionals who evaluate individuals for PSD housing and travel letters. This means our clients are protected under both federal and state laws, ensuring their PSD can stay with them at home and accompany them while flying.

What Landlords Can and Can’t Do in Georgia

Even with these protections in place, confusion or resistance from landlords isn’t uncommon. That’s why it's important to understand the limits of what landlords can request:

• They can ask for documentation that verifies the need for an ESA or PSD.

• They cannot require training certificates for ESAs (though PSDs must be trained).

• They cannot delay or deny a reasonable accommodation without legal cause.

Georgia law is clear: if the animal is not causing a direct threat or significant property damage, housing providers must comply.

Why Georgia ESA Laws Matter Now More Than Ever

With increasing demand for rental properties and tighter pet restrictions, emotional support animal owners face mounting pressure. Georgia’s fair housing laws act as a crucial safeguard, ensuring that individuals with legitimate mental health needs are not left out in the cold—literally and figuratively.

Whether you rely on an emotional support animal or a trained psychiatric service dog, knowing your rights is half the battle. The other half? Having the proper documentation to support those rights. That's where PetCerts.com comes in—helping qualified individuals obtain what they need to live and travel confidently with their support animal.