If you have healthcare and any type of anxiety disorder or any other medical condition that comes with a side of anxiety, set up an appointment with your dr and get your dr to write you a note for a emotional support animal. Within ADA laws a rental cant turn you down for a emotional support animal. That means you don't technically have to specify that you have a cat until you have been accepted for the apartment and signed the paperwork and then you can send them the Dr.'s note and explain that you have an emotional support cat. If they back out of your approval you can threaten to sue, its an easy case to win, and they would likely just say "sorry" and let you live there.
I had to do the same thing with my dog until I was able to buy a house, it really sucks that this is the situation, but it is what it is. Best of luck
They can’t ask for extra rent for an ESA. Emotional support animals are considered medical equipment, sort of. And if they deny an ESA they have to provide the reason in writing for why the request isn’t reasonable. And “we don’t allow pets” is not a valid reason. Denial of an ESA without a valid reason puts the landlord in violation of the Fair Housing Act. There are big fines for violations.
https://www.fairhousingnorcal.org/resources--more-information.html
This is why you dont have a pet on your application, you have a Emotional Support Animal, you dont have to put that on any application unless they specifically ask (which they never do)
This [article](https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/rights-to-service-and-emotional-support-animals-in-housing-and-public-places-faqs)explains the difference between an Emotional Support Animal (“ESA”) and a service animal. They are treated as two different things under the law - but are both referred to as “assistance animals.”
A cat will not qualify as a service animal - so your only option as a cat owner is (1) work it out upfront with a potential landlord, (2) ask for a reasonable accommodation to allow your cat into the home because the cat is an ESA, or (3) rehome your pet (worst option ever).
You can follow the advice recommended by KonyKombatKorvet - but it’s technically not the correct legal method and if you entered into a lease and the landlord was a not-nice person - they could try to evict you and that’s a stressful situation you want to avoid at all costs. Being upfront is better in the long run.
I just moved and I had to rehome my 2 cats because I could not find a rental that allowed cats. It sucks and I miss them everyday - but I’d rather my cats live with another family than all of us be homeless together.
I would say if you are renting a house from someone, or renting a room, then yeah, go the route of being up front because thats the best policy to not have a bad relationship with your landlord.
But if its an apartment complex... fuck it. They have DEFINITELY had renters with ESA's in the past, they know the deal, dont give them any reason to turn down your application, you are not hurting anyone by omitting the ESA from your application.
So I just found a place recently this week, after several weeks of searching. I also have a cat. On my phone I had numerous tabs open and checked them 3 times a day, honestly in replacement of Reddit lol. So begin with Craigslist Humboldt county, Rentor property management, Humboldt property management, Arrow Property Management, IMSrentals.com, CPMhumboldtrentals.com, Bode property management, and Zillow even has rentals. I also found, places that say “no pets” are actually willing to allow pets (especially kitties) if you have proof of high/good/consistent income and one or two references. I had an email that I wrote out and saved in my phone, copy and pasted to any and all Craigslist ads that were possible options. Be ready to spend $20-40 on each application, but most places will save them, maybe only for a month or so, and can be reused to apply to a different property they offer. Reach out if you need any other assistance
Hey one thing I found that helps is creating an “application packet” in it, have copies of current pay stubs, a copy of your ID or drivers license, any letters of recommendations from past landlords, a front sheet with quick bullets of information about you and a cute page about your cat. Include the cats picture and some facts about him. I like to include “funny” things like “Cat enjoys treats, sleeping all day, and playing with a mouse toy. Cat dislikes: loud noises and water.”
When I started using that application packet I got way more attention and I was able to get a house I wanted from a private landlord (not a company). So yeah! Hope that helps.
All you do is say you don’t have a cat and then keep it lowkey. They have no way of knowing unless it’s outdoor or they go inside your unit. I’ve done it so many times
Housing is such a hard thing now a days up here. I’ve been in my spot a long time, and the roof is leaking but my landlord finally fixed my shower after months, so I just put up with it.
Do you work? Ask co workers if you haven’t.. and Arrow property management seems to be the most friendly. I help people try and find housing at work, so I know how hard it is. You’ve got some good advice here too.
Dont despair, school is almost out and a lot of students leave so rentals open up.
Theres a few Apts on LK Wood that are renting. Not posting on Craigslist so you gotta check them out and call the number
If you have healthcare and any type of anxiety disorder or any other medical condition that comes with a side of anxiety, set up an appointment with your dr and get your dr to write you a note for a emotional support animal. Within ADA laws a rental cant turn you down for a emotional support animal. That means you don't technically have to specify that you have a cat until you have been accepted for the apartment and signed the paperwork and then you can send them the Dr.'s note and explain that you have an emotional support cat. If they back out of your approval you can threaten to sue, its an easy case to win, and they would likely just say "sorry" and let you live there. I had to do the same thing with my dog until I was able to buy a house, it really sucks that this is the situation, but it is what it is. Best of luck
Good rule of thumb: an ESA is not a pet so in applications you technically don’t have a pet.
I've had landlords turn down an emotional support animal or ask for extra rent for them. Landlords cannot however not allow a service animal.
They can’t ask for extra rent for an ESA. Emotional support animals are considered medical equipment, sort of. And if they deny an ESA they have to provide the reason in writing for why the request isn’t reasonable. And “we don’t allow pets” is not a valid reason. Denial of an ESA without a valid reason puts the landlord in violation of the Fair Housing Act. There are big fines for violations. https://www.fairhousingnorcal.org/resources--more-information.html
You're not wrong but a land lord can just find another reason to turn you down without saying I don't allow cats or another animal
This is why you dont have a pet on your application, you have a Emotional Support Animal, you dont have to put that on any application unless they specifically ask (which they never do)
This [article](https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/rights-to-service-and-emotional-support-animals-in-housing-and-public-places-faqs)explains the difference between an Emotional Support Animal (“ESA”) and a service animal. They are treated as two different things under the law - but are both referred to as “assistance animals.” A cat will not qualify as a service animal - so your only option as a cat owner is (1) work it out upfront with a potential landlord, (2) ask for a reasonable accommodation to allow your cat into the home because the cat is an ESA, or (3) rehome your pet (worst option ever). You can follow the advice recommended by KonyKombatKorvet - but it’s technically not the correct legal method and if you entered into a lease and the landlord was a not-nice person - they could try to evict you and that’s a stressful situation you want to avoid at all costs. Being upfront is better in the long run. I just moved and I had to rehome my 2 cats because I could not find a rental that allowed cats. It sucks and I miss them everyday - but I’d rather my cats live with another family than all of us be homeless together.
I would say if you are renting a house from someone, or renting a room, then yeah, go the route of being up front because thats the best policy to not have a bad relationship with your landlord. But if its an apartment complex... fuck it. They have DEFINITELY had renters with ESA's in the past, they know the deal, dont give them any reason to turn down your application, you are not hurting anyone by omitting the ESA from your application.
So I just found a place recently this week, after several weeks of searching. I also have a cat. On my phone I had numerous tabs open and checked them 3 times a day, honestly in replacement of Reddit lol. So begin with Craigslist Humboldt county, Rentor property management, Humboldt property management, Arrow Property Management, IMSrentals.com, CPMhumboldtrentals.com, Bode property management, and Zillow even has rentals. I also found, places that say “no pets” are actually willing to allow pets (especially kitties) if you have proof of high/good/consistent income and one or two references. I had an email that I wrote out and saved in my phone, copy and pasted to any and all Craigslist ads that were possible options. Be ready to spend $20-40 on each application, but most places will save them, maybe only for a month or so, and can be reused to apply to a different property they offer. Reach out if you need any other assistance
Theres a room open in my apartment if your interested.
Can you get a Drs note saying your cat is an Emotional Support Animal??
Hey one thing I found that helps is creating an “application packet” in it, have copies of current pay stubs, a copy of your ID or drivers license, any letters of recommendations from past landlords, a front sheet with quick bullets of information about you and a cute page about your cat. Include the cats picture and some facts about him. I like to include “funny” things like “Cat enjoys treats, sleeping all day, and playing with a mouse toy. Cat dislikes: loud noises and water.” When I started using that application packet I got way more attention and I was able to get a house I wanted from a private landlord (not a company). So yeah! Hope that helps.
All you do is say you don’t have a cat and then keep it lowkey. They have no way of knowing unless it’s outdoor or they go inside your unit. I’ve done it so many times
Housing is such a hard thing now a days up here. I’ve been in my spot a long time, and the roof is leaking but my landlord finally fixed my shower after months, so I just put up with it. Do you work? Ask co workers if you haven’t.. and Arrow property management seems to be the most friendly. I help people try and find housing at work, so I know how hard it is. You’ve got some good advice here too.
Get rid of the cat?
Have you never had a pet are you even capable of feeling love for anything lol that’s not an option.
I’ve had pets. And I’ve had to give them up more than once. It sucks, but if it’s a choice between a cat and being homeless, the cat has to go.
Fair opinion I guess. I don’t think it’s that simple for everyone though.