Guides
Do ESA Letters Expire? The Complete Renewal Guide
Technically? No — the Fair Housing Act sets no expiration date on ESA letters. Practically? Yes — a letter’s usefulness fades after about a year. Understanding both halves of that answer keeps your housing protection continuous.
Why the 12-month standard exists
HUD’s guidance lets housing providers request “reliable documentation” of a current disability-related need. A three-year-old letter invites the fair question of whether it reflects your current situation, and most landlords, property managers, and campus housing offices have settled on twelve months as their freshness bar. Clinically it makes sense too: your provider’s recommendation should rest on a recent evaluation.
The moments that trigger a renewal request
- Signing or renewing a lease — the most common checkpoint.
- Moving to a new building or a new landlord.
- The start of each academic year in campus housing.
- An annual accommodation review at larger property-management companies.
What a renewal actually involves
A follow-up evaluation, shorter than the first — typically about 15 minutes with a clinician licensed in your state — confirming your continuing need. If approved, a freshly dated letter arrives within 24–48 hours. Returning MyPetESA clients pay $99 rather than the full evaluation fee.
If your letter has already lapsed
Nothing dramatic happens overnight — your existing accommodation doesn’t self-destruct — but a landlord can request updated documentation, and you’ll want a current letter before any new application. Renew 30–60 days before you expect to need it, and remember the 30-day states (AR, CA, IA, LA, MT) when planning timelines with a new provider.
One thing that never renews: fake registries
“Lifetime ESA registration” is a product category, not a legal one. There is no registry with legal standing, so there’s nothing to keep current except the letter itself. If a service sold you a certificate that “never expires,” read our scam guide before your next lease conversation.