ESA letter in Indiana: 2026 rules and how to qualify

Indiana ESA rules at a glance

This summary reflects Indiana law and federal guidance as of October 8, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked sources before relying on them for a dispute.

What Indiana law requires for an ESA letter

If the disability is not readily apparent, a landlord may require written verification from a health service provider (an Indiana licensed physician or psychiatrist, psychologist, IC 25-23.6 licensee such as a social worker, marriage and family therapist or mental health counselor, or APRN) who provides treatment, stating the disability, the disability related need and how the ESA helps; providers whose only service is a paid verification letter are excluded. Tenants who moved from another state may use a physician, psychiatrist, social worker or other mental health professional licensed there with an ongoing treatment relationship. No fee may be charged for an ESA, and misrepresentation, or a provider verifying without adequate professional knowledge or selling letter only services, is a Class A infraction.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 22-9-7 (P.L.162-2018, eff. July 1, 2018; amended P.L.10-2019). Read the source.

How HUD's 2026 change affects Indiana renters

On May 22, 2026, HUD's fair housing office announced it will find reasonable cause in animal accommodation complaints only when the animal is individually trained to perform disability related tasks, and it withdrew its older ESA guidance. The Fair Housing Act itself, HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 100.204 and your right to bring a private lawsuit within two years did not change.

Indiana renters have an extra layer of protection: IC 22-9-7-8 provides that an animal does not need specific training to become an ESA, and the chapter protects ESAs in housing.

If your dog is trained to perform tasks, a psychiatric service dog evaluation may suit you better, because trained animals keep HUD's presumption of reasonableness.

How to get an ESA letter in Indiana

Start with the free assessment. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Choose your evaluation, pay once through Stripe, and a licensed mental health professional who can practice in Indiana reviews your answers and talks with you by phone or video when Indiana rules or their judgment call for it.

Most clients hear from their clinician within one business day. When an ESA is clinically appropriate, the signed letter usually arrives by email within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation.

Your letter lists the clinician's license number, type, issuing state and effective date, so a landlord can check it on the state licensing board website. If your completed assessment is not approved, you receive a 100% refund.

Before you order in Indiana: Indiana accepts verification from a treating Indiana licensed provider and excludes letter only services. A letter from your treating provider is usually the strongest route in Indiana.

ESA letter cost in Indiana

Pet ESA Service charges the same one time price in Indiana as everywhere else: $89 for one pet, $109 for two, $129 for three and $149 for four. Renewal evaluations are $79 and psychiatric service dog evaluations are $99. There is no subscription, no rush fee and no charge for landlord verification. See the pricing page for what each evaluation includes.

Be cautious of "free ESA letter" offers and instant certificates sold to Indiana residents. A registry listing or ID card is not clinical documentation, and several states say landlords may reject them.

Pet fees and deposits for ESAs in Indiana

Indiana bars fees for emotional support animals (Ind. Code ch. 22-9-7). You remain responsible for any damage your animal causes.

Where to get help in Indiana

If a housing provider denies a reasonable request, you can contact the Indiana Civil Rights Commission about filing a complaint under state law, consult a local fair housing organization, or speak with an attorney about a private Fair Housing Act claim, which generally must be filed within two years.

Keep copies of your request, your letter and every reply. Our guides on talking to your landlord and what landlords can ask walk through each step.