The Landlord's Guide to Emotional Support Animal Laws in Kansas City

As a landlord in Kansas City, Missouri, chances are you’ve either received a request for an emotional support animal (ESA) or, at the least, heard about their growing popularity in the news. With an abundance of people trying to take their animals everywhere with them, it’s more important than ever to know your rights and responsibilities under the emotional support animal laws in Kansas City. 

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about ESAs, including what qualifies as one, how to verify a request, and when it’s appropriate to deny one. If you want to protect your property, create an inclusive space for your tenants, and follow the law, understanding the emotional support animal laws in Kansas City is a great place to start.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

Treating emotional support animals in Kansas City correctly starts with knowing how they’re defined. An ESA is any domesticated animal that helps its owner manage a mental or emotional health condition by providing companionship. They are not required to have any special training, as their role is to provide emotional comfort, not physical assistance. This is what makes them different from service animals. 

Emotional support animals in Kansas City are most commonly dogs or cats, but other animals (like pigs, rabbits, ferrets, or even birds) can also qualify. The main requirement is that the animal provides support that helps the person cope with a psychological disorder, such as anxiety, PTSD, depression, or something else. 

To be recognized as a legitimate ESA, the animal must be recommended in writing by a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. 

These animals can play a major role in a tenant’s well-being. Research shows that interacting with an ESA for just 10 minutes can lower a person’s stress and boost their happiness. One study found significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and loneliness. For those with social anxiety, having an ESA may make them feel more comfortable during social situations that would otherwise cause them distress. 

Beyond the emotional benefits, ESAs can also promote better physical health. Lower blood pressure, a more consistent exercise routine, and a regular sleep schedule are just some of the potential advantages. 

The Differences Between Service Animals, Pets, and Emotional Support Animals

When a tenant says they need an animal to live with them, you’ll first want to determine what category it falls under. Since pets, service animals, and emotional support animals in Kansas City are all treated differently under the law, it’s important to know their differences: 

• Pets: Pets are any type of animal whose main purpose is enjoyment and companionship, including dogs, cats, snakes, fish, hamsters, and more. They are not protected by the emotional support animal laws in Kansas City, so you’re free to enforce restrictions on them, including denying them altogether. 

• Service Animals: Service animals are dogs (or, in rare cases, miniature horses) who are trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability, such as alerting someone to an oncoming seizure or guiding someone with vision impairment. They are covered by both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), meaning they must be allowed in a rental regardless of pet policies. 

• Emotional Support Animals: ESAs are any domesticated animal that provides comfort, without needing specific training. They are not protected under the ADA, but they do have protections under the FHA, which applies to housing situations. The FHA requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals in Kansas City, even in properties with pet restrictions. 

According to the emotional support animal laws in Kansas City, you do not have to allow ESAs inside any businesses you own, but you are required to make room for them if the request is legitimate. 

Legal Protections for Emotional Support Animals in Kansas City

The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that applies everywhere in the U.S., protecting tenants’ right to keep emotional support animals in Kansas City. Under this law, landlords are prohibited from discriminating against tenants with disabilities, including those with mental or emotional conditions. 

ESAs are considered part of a treatment plan, which means you may need to make an exception to your no-pets policy or waive pet-related fees for tenants who provide proper documentation. This is true whether it’s added before or during the lease term. Denying an ESA request without a valid reason, or charging additional rent for one, can lead to fair housing complaints and legal trouble. 

In the Kansas City metro area, disability-related housing discrimination is one of the most commonly reported issues. According to a regional fair housing analysis, 41.7% of all disability-related complaints were filed in Kansas City, MO. Further, of the 122 complaints filed in the state in 2023, 76 involved discrimination based on disability. As a landlord, that means you need to stay on your toes, because even an unintentional mistake could cost you both time and money. 

How to Validate Emotional Support Animals in Kansas City

Only valid ESAs are protected by the emotional support animal laws in Kansas City, which means you should request documentation to ensure the request is legitimate. This usually comes in the form of a signed letter from a licensed mental health provider, verifying that the tenant has a disability and that the ESA helps alleviate one or more symptoms.

While most tenants are honest, some may try to bypass your property’s pet policies by saying that their pet is an ESA. Rather than being suspicious, ensure you’re cautious when handling each request, and always remain respectful. 

HUD guidelines discourage the use of online certificate websites that issue ESA letters for a fee with no real patient evaluation. If the letter seems vague, suspicious, or comes from a provider operating outside the U.S., you’re allowed to follow up and ask for clarification, as long as you do so fairly and in line with the law. 

Emotional Support Animal Housing Letter Checklist

Every time you receive an ESA letter, make sure it includes: 

• The provider’s full name, title, and license number
• Confirmation that the tenant has a qualifying condition under the FHA
• A statement that the animal provides emotional support related to that condition
• The date the letter was issued
• The provider’s signature and contact information

You should also check to ensure that the provider’s license is current and that they’re certified to practice in the state of Missouri. If the letter is missing any of these details, or if the provider appears unqualified, you may request additional information or deny the request. In these cases, be sure to document your reasoning well to protect yourself if the tenant complains.

Can Landlords Deny Emotional Support Animals in Kansas City?

In most cases, if the tenant has a legitimate need and provides valid documentation, you’ll be required to approve the ESA under the emotional support animal laws in Kansas City. That’s because ESAs are considered reasonable accommodations for people living with a disability. In the eyes of the law, denying someone their ESA is like denying them a wheelchair ramp or anything else related to a medical need. 

When Can a Landlord Legally Reject an ESA?

There are some instances in which landlords can deny emotional support animals in Kansas City, including if the animal creates an undue financial or administrative burden. You may also legally reject an ESA request if:

• The animal doesn’t qualify as an ESA under the FHA
• The tenant fails to provide adequate or timely paperwork
• The letter comes from a non-credible source or an unlicensed provider
• The animal is disruptive, aggressive, or otherwise poses a threat to others
• The animal isn’t housebroken or would cause hygienic concerns
• There is documented evidence of past property damage or tenant complaints 
• It would fundamentally alter the nature of your business 

There are also some exemptions from the FHA, meaning you wouldn’t have to allow ESAs if you meet the following criteria: 

1. You’re a private landlord renting out three or fewer single-family homes without a broker 
2. You’re part of a religious group or private club that only allows its members to live there
3. Your building has four or fewer rental units and you live on the property (Mrs. Murphy exemption)
4. You operate senior housing properties

If these exemptions apply to you, be sure to let your tenant know right away. Should you reject an ESA request, being open and honest with the tenant is key to avoiding conflict and remaining respectful. What’s important is that your reason for denial is specific, evidence-based, and well-documented. Personal opinions or minor nuisances like barking aren’t enough. If a denial results in a complaint, HUD will review how you reached your decision and whether you acted within the law.

Supporting Tenants with Emotional Support Animals in Kansas City

Staying on top of emotional support animal laws in Kansas City will help you safeguard your investment property and create a welcoming environment for tenants who rely on ESAs. As requests become more common, knowing when to say yes, what questions to ask, and how to document your decisions can make all the difference.

The emotional support animal laws in Kansas City can be confusing, even for an experienced landlord. When in doubt, don’t leave your investment to chance. From collecting ESA letters from tenants to handling denials, a property manager like Evernest can take care of all the details for you. Reach out to us today, then sit back and watch your passive income continue piling up.