ESA letter renewal

Do ESA letters expire?

Federal fair housing law does not put an expiration date on an ESA letter. Neither the Fair Housing Act nor HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 100.204 says a letter is good for only a year. What matters is whether the letter reasonably shows a current disability related need when you make your request.

In practice, many housing providers ask for a letter dated within the past year, and a few states set their own timelines. Our article on whether ESA letters expire every year walks through the details. The short version: you do not need to renew on a schedule someone else invented, but you should renew when your situation calls for it.

When should you renew your ESA letter?

These are the situations where renewal usually makes sense:

• You are signing a new lease or moving, and your current letter is more than a year old
• Your landlord or property manager asks for current documentation at lease renewal
• Your state ties documentation to a 12 month window, as Iowa and Arkansas do
• You have added a pet, or your letter names an animal that is no longer with you
• Your old letter came from a clinician who is not licensed in the state where you now live
• Your old letter was a template with no real evaluation behind it

State rules that set a 12 month clock

Most states do not set an expiration date, but a few have rules worth knowing. If none of the reasons above apply and your landlord has already approved your accommodation, you may not need to do anything right now.

How renewal works at Pet ESA Service

Take the assessment again. It is free and takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Tell us about your current situation, your animal and any changes since your last letter.

Choose the renewal evaluation. The renewal costs $79, paid once through Stripe. There is nothing to cancel later.

Connect with your clinician. A clinician licensed in your state reviews your answers and connects with you by phone or video when your state's rules or their clinical judgment call for it. Most people hear back within one business day.

Receive an updated letter if appropriate. If your need continues, you receive a newly dated, signed PDF letter by email, usually within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation, with current license details for verification. Check your state page for anything specific to where you live.

What renewal costs, and what it does not do

Renewal is $79, one time. There is no subscription, no membership and nothing renews automatically. You will not be charged again next year unless you choose to start a new evaluation, and our pricing page lists every option.

If the clinician does not approve the renewal, you get a 100% refund of the payment. Renewal is a real evaluation, so approval is not automatic just because you had a letter before. Situations change, and the clinician's job is to document where you are now.

Moving to a new state is a common reason to renew with a new clinician. Our guide on moving with existing ESA documentation explains what usually carries over and what does not.

Renewing after HUD's 2026 memo

HUD's May 22, 2026 memo changed how HUD's fair housing office enforces complaints about untrained animals, but it did not change the Fair Housing Act, state fair housing laws, private lawsuits or Section 504. California's Civil Rights Department said on July 20, 2026, and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination said on July 31, 2026, that their state laws still protect emotional support animals.

For renters, this means a current letter from a clinician licensed in your state is worth more than an old template. If your landlord is reviewing ESA requests more closely this year, a fresh evaluation gives them something they can verify. Our housing support page explains how to present it.

When you are ready, start your renewal with the free assessment. It takes a few minutes, and you choose the renewal option before you pay.