Do ESA letters expire? How long a letter is good for

Is there an official expiration date?

Not under federal law. The Fair Housing Act and HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 100.204 address reasonable accommodations, not documentation dates, and HUD's May 2026 memo set no new documentation standard. A letter does not stop being true on a calendar date.

In practice, the question is whether the letter still reflects your current need. A letter written three years ago by a clinician you no longer see may not persuade a landlord, a college or a state agency today, especially now that HUD's 2026 memo has narrowed federal enforcement for untrained ESAs and landlords look more closely at documentation. Our guide to HUD's 2026 guidance covers that shift.

Which states set a time limit?

Only a few states put timing rules into statute, and they work differently. The table summarizes the ones renters ask about most.

Why do dates on the letter matter?

Dates show up across state statutes. California, Arkansas and Montana require documentation to list the clinician's license effective date, Louisiana requires the documentation's own effective date, and Iowa requires issue and expiration dates. Those details make it easy for a landlord to see how current a letter is and whether the clinician's license was active when it was signed.

Why do landlords ask for a recent letter?

Landlords want evidence that the need exists now, not just when you first got the animal. Many leases run a year, so a letter dated within the last 12 months is a common request at application or renewal. Colleges often ask for updated documentation with each housing contract.

A recent letter also shows an ongoing relationship with a clinician, which state agencies and courts tend to find more reliable than an old document. If your landlord asks for an updated letter at lease renewal, providing one is usually simpler than disputing it.

Some landlords also check the clinician's license again at renewal time. A letter signed by a clinician whose license has since lapsed can stall an otherwise simple renewal, even when your need has not changed at all.

Does an existing approval expire?

A written approval generally lasts for that tenancy unless the approval or your lease says otherwise. Some addenda require updated documentation at each renewal, so read yours. Disability rights analysts, including DREDF, note that approvals already in place generally stand after HUD's 2026 memo.

If your landlord asks for new documentation in the middle of a lease without a clause allowing it, ask in writing what prompted the request. Our article on the ESA lease addendum covers renewal clauses.

Colleges work differently. Many schools tie approvals to an academic year or a housing contract and ask for updated documentation each cycle, so check your school's policy well before the next housing deadline.

How does an ESA letter renewal work?

Renewal is a fresh clinical check. The clinician reviews how you are doing now, whether the animal still helps and whether anything has changed, such as a new animal or a move. If documentation is still appropriate, you receive an updated letter with a current date.

Pet ESA Service renewal evaluations are $79, one time, with no subscription. A renewal follows the same standards as a first evaluation, so payment does not buy an updated letter, and you receive a full refund if the clinician does not approve your completed assessment. See renewals for details.

• Have your previous letter handy, including the clinician's name and date
• Note any changes: new symptoms, new animals, a new address or state
• Allow time before your lease renewal date
• Check your new state's rules if you moved

When should you renew?

A practical rhythm is once a year, a month or two before your lease renewal or housing application. Renew sooner if you move to a new state, add an animal, or your landlord or school asks for updated documentation. Emotional support dog owners in Arkansas should plan on yearly reviews, because the statute requires them.

Also renew if your clinician's license lapses or they stop practicing, since a landlord verifying your letter will check the license. Our guide on verifying a clinician's license shows how anyone can check. When you are ready, start a renewal through the free assessment; a clinician licensed in your state will review your current need, and most clients hear back within one business day.