Why ESA's are important to me as a Realtor

By
Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Murphree @ Ikon Realty of Ashburn 5 NRDS: 847011238

ESA stands for Emotional Support Animal. This designation is different than Service Animals.   Recently, I read about ESA's.  First, these animals are Federally Fair Housing Protected.  I was grateful to see such language.  In my new career in Real Estate, I was hard pressed to get a clear understanding of the multitude of clauses aimed at keeping animals out of rented spaces.  DeFlea was new to me.  I never really knew that could be proven as effectively performed upon departing a lease.

As an alternative medicine doctor, I am also aware that people who need help with PTSD or anxiety really have very few options in the case of a "panic" attack.  Even if you are steadfast in scheduling treatments for acupuncture, or time with your therapist, backup medications, supplements, etc don't always work.  I consider what options are out there and we see the addiction themes arise.

This ESA Federal Fair Housing status for any kind or size of animal is to be written once a year by a psychiatrist or other mental health provider, not just your primary care doctor.  This is another good idea because it demonstrates the lengths a client will go to in order to stay off addictive medication or just use the medication sparingly.  

As a realtor who is trying to rent, I have had some funny situations come up.  Renting to a couple with a malamute that they were going to give to their daughter as she just got married, only to find out the day after they move into their year long lease, the landlord used a PM firm and the landlord lives on the other side of the fence.  Since I suggested language in the lease application of pets crated during the day, and other ideas that were shot down by the applicants, I assume the Malamute will go to the daughter.

Some situations I see in real estate make me happy like when I call the listing agent and ask if my client can apply with 2 older German Shephards and the listing agent tells me Yes.  I love seeing these new ways of treating our animals in this country.  Recently, Oregan State Law recognizes Animals as Sentient Beings because they can feel empathy, pain and suffering thus offering animals greater protections from their abusers.

We are really moving forward in real estate language understanding that an older dog might be better or more desirable to a landlord than 4 kids on wearing out a stairwell.  I am proud to be a part of the NAR and a health care worker. Imagine if we treat everyone as special?

 

Comments (17)

George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Elizabeth welcome to ActiveRain and congratulations on posting your first blog on this site.

Aug 23, 2016 10:09 AM
Dinah Stallworth-Lewis
Priority Real Estate LLC - 318.332.8281 - Natchitoches, LA
NATCHITOCHES, LA HOMES FOR SALE

Hello Elizabeth,

Welcome to Activerain.   What an interesting first blog.   I have heard of companion animals.   I learned something new today.  Emotional Support Animals are very important to tenants with emotional and physical needs.  

This is great information and hopefully your blog will bring awareness to those who need these wonderful animals.  Thanks for sharing.  

Aug 23, 2016 10:42 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Often service dog and their owner have a better chance of finding rentals than those with pets.

Aug 23, 2016 01:32 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Elizabeth,

I am a pet lover too, but as a landlord I am also a witness to the abuse that is occurring under this law as every tenant with a pitbull is now forcing their landlord to allow the pitbul as an ESA.

Welcome to Active Rain, looking forward to reading many more of your posts, let me know if there is anything that I can do to help as you get started here.
Bob

Aug 23, 2016 02:02 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Fortunately for landlords though there are a few exceptions to the law, and those caught abusing it can be prosecuted.


All types of housing, including public housing, are covered by the FHA except:

1. Rental dwellings of four or less units, when one unit is occupied by the owner;

2. Single family homes sold or rented by the owner without the use of a broker.
3. Housing owned by private clubs or religious organizations that restrict occupancy in housing units to their members.

Aug 23, 2016 02:08 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Elizabeth,

welcome to the Rain! 

It is great to have you here. Thanks for sharing with us your values. 

Aug 23, 2016 04:13 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Elizabeth Murphree the therapeutic value of certain animals to those who are "grieving" are especially significant.... after my grandchildren lost their father, a deputy sheriff, in the line of duty, my daughter bought two golden retrievers....and how we all love those goldies.... those dogs brought them through a very tough time....I love this post.

Aug 23, 2016 08:52 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

and welcome to ActiveRain...it's a great place to learn, share, market and network....and I hope you enjoy it and benefit from all of it....keep blogging away!!

Aug 23, 2016 08:52 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Elizabeth Murphree and Welcome to the rain where we all help each other and learn from each other.  Great first first and I will be following you for more great blogs.

Aug 23, 2016 11:22 PM
Kathy Goldman
REVA Online | SEO Boost For Real Estate, Social Media Marketing for Real Estate and Real Estate Blogging Expert - Waukesha, WI
Social Media & Marketing for Real Estate

Hi Elizabeth Murphree, I agree that ESA animals can be of big support for anyone (other than REALTORS!). I have animals at my home where I work. I consider them my own ESAs. They have never been trained to do so, they are just naturally where I go when I need a hug or a snuggle in bed (sorry, Honey).

Bob Crane has an interesting take on this as well from the side of the landlord. This would be a more difficult decision (especially for a pitbull for crying out loud). I know there are some great ones. I have one who comes to visit one of my kitties at the end of the drive most every day. But as an ESA, I believe too, that there must be some sort of training or maybe size limitation if it is going to be in a rented unit.

Good luck with your ESA. Mine want to go catch chipmunks right now!

Aug 24, 2016 05:09 AM
Kathy Goldman
REVA Online | SEO Boost For Real Estate, Social Media Marketing for Real Estate and Real Estate Blogging Expert - Waukesha, WI
Social Media & Marketing for Real Estate

BTW, great first article and welcome to ActiveRain! Our Rainers are the best and they know an awful lot!

Catch ya later. Ciao!

Remember our Real Estate Blog Experts Motto:  

"If it doesn't make you money, you shouldn't be doing it!"

Aug 24, 2016 05:09 AM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

Welcome to Activerain, great first post. This is a really important topic, as it addresses an area of fair housing that so few understand

Aug 24, 2016 01:14 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Welcome to ActiveRain Elizabeth Murphree .

This is The Best place to learn, share and build relationships with like-minded professionals.

Aug 24, 2016 03:00 PM
Mery Fernandez Empire Network Realty Luxury Brokerage
Empire Network Realty INC. - Orlando, FL
The Rise of An Empire, Let's Build Yours!

Hi Elizabeth! Welcome to the world of Activerain, may your blogging  create a whole new chapter in your Real Estate Career.

Aug 25, 2016 03:18 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Excellent first post Elizabeth Murphree welcome to Active Rain. We are so glad to have you/ I look forward to sharing comments and thoughts with you.

Aug 29, 2016 09:14 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Congratulations on your first blog post Elizabeth Murphree  Thanks for teaching us about ESA. Look forward to reading more about you.

Aug 29, 2016 12:45 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Welcome to Active Rain Elizabeth Murphree. If you have any questions with Active Rain, please feel free to reach out

Aug 31, 2016 04:30 AM