Florida

ESA Letter Florida: FHA and Statute 760.27-Compliant Letters for Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and All of FL

Last updated: July 2026

Florida codified ESA housing protections directly into state law, giving renters in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa a clear statutory backup to the federal Fair Housing Act. A FurryESA letter from a Florida-licensed mental health professional is built to meet both standards.

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Requirements

Florida ESA Letter Requirements

  • ✓Florida Statute § 760.27 prohibits housing discrimination against individuals with a disability-related need for an emotional support animal and defines what a housing provider can and cannot request as documentation.
  • ✓A housing provider may only deny an ESA accommodation if the animal poses a direct threat to safety or would cause direct physical damage to others' property that can't be reduced by another reasonable accommodation.
  • ✓Under Florida law, ESA owners are exempt from pet deposits, pet rent, application fees tied to the animal, and breed or weight restrictions.

Every valid ESA letter must include the provider's full name, license number, license type, and jurisdiction, and confirm that the animal is part of your treatment plan — issued on official letterhead and signed.

Your Rights

Your Rights Under the Fair Housing Act in Florida

A housing provider in Florida cannot:

  • ✗Refuse your housing application solely because you have an emotional support animal
  • ✗Charge a pet deposit, pet rent, or additional pet fee for your ESA
  • ✗Apply breed, size, or weight restrictions to your ESA
  • ✗Demand your medical records or ask about your specific diagnosis
  • ✗Require your ESA to have any special training — none is required by the FHA

If your ESA accommodation is denied in Florida, you can file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) and HUD.

The Fair Housing Act itself has not changed — landlords are still legally required to provide reasonable accommodations for a legitimate emotional support animal, and tenants retain the right to pursue a housing discrimination claim through private legal action. What has changed is federal enforcement: in May 2026, HUD rescinded its prior ESA guidance and narrowed its own enforcement focus to animals individually trained to perform disability-related tasks — meaning HUD itself is less likely to pursue a complaint on your behalf for a typical, untrained ESA. FurryESA letters are prepared to meet the underlying legal standard set by the FHA, not just federal guidance that can change, so your documentation remains as strong as the law allows.

Getting approved is easy

How FurryESA Works in Florida

Most clients receive their letter within 24–48 hours of approval.

1

Complete Your Free Assessment

A short, confidential questionnaire about your mental health and daily life. Takes about 5 minutes.

2

Evaluation by a Licensed Florida Provider

A mental health professional licensed in Florida reviews your case and conducts a confidential evaluation.

3

Receive Your Official ESA Letter

Most clients receive their letter within 24–48 hours of approval.

Pricing: $99, flat rate, with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Serving Florida

Florida Cities We Serve

Miami

dense, competitive rental market

Orlando

large rental market with significant new construction

Tampa

growing rental market

Jacksonville

large, spread-out rental market

Common Questions

Common Questions from Florida Residents

What does Florida Statute 760.27 actually require from my ESA letter?
It requires that your documentation reliably support your disability and your disability-related need for the specific animal — a licensed mental health professional's letter, like the ones FurryESA provides, is exactly the kind of documentation the statute contemplates.
Can a Miami landlord charge me a pet deposit for my ESA?
No — under Florida Statute 760.27 and the federal FHA, an emotional support animal isn't legally a pet, so pet deposits, pet rent, and breed/weight restrictions don't apply.
When can a Florida landlord legally deny my ESA?
Only if the specific animal poses a direct threat to safety or would cause property damage that can't be addressed with another reasonable accommodation — not as a general no-pets policy.

Get Your Florida ESA Letter

Start your free, confidential assessment today. Most clients receive their letter within 24–48 hours of approval.

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FurryESA serves all Florida zip codes. All providers hold active Florida licenses. Letters meet FHA documentation requirements. HIPAA-compliant delivery. 100% money-back guarantee.