Tennessee ESA Letter Online

Yes. Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-7-111 lets tenants with disabilities request an exception to no-animal policies for service or support animals. It defines a "support animal" as an animal a healthcare provider prescribed or recommended to work, assist, perform tasks or provide emotional support that alleviates identified symptoms or effects of a disability.

If your disability isn't readily apparent or known, "reliable documentation" of the disability and the disability-related need. If the disability is apparent but the need isn't, documentation of the need only. The landlord may verify the documentation but can't obtain confidential medical records.

Reliable documentation can come from a healthcare provider licensed, certified or otherwise authorized under the laws of any state, from a licensed or certified person or entity serving people with disabilities, or from a caregiver, reliable third party or government entity. In every case, the source must have actual knowledge of your disability.

No. Since Public Chapter 754 of 2024, documentation from a website whose primary function is to provide a certificate, registration or license for a service or support animal for a fee is not reliable documentation under § 66-7-111.

No. Tennessee sets no 30-day rule. Because the provider must have actual knowledge of your disability, the evaluation needs to be genuine.

Yes. Tennessee accepts providers authorized under any state's laws and doesn't require an office visit. What matters is that the provider actually knows your disability and isn't a certificate website.

Misrepresenting a disability or need, or giving documentation that falsely says an animal is a service or support animal, counts as material noncompliance and default under the lease (§ 66-7-111(f)). The landlord may end the tenancy and recover damages, including reasonable attorney's fees.

Section 66-7-111(b) lets you request an exception to animal-related payments as well as no-animal policies, so ask in writing for pet fees and deposits to be waived. You're responsible for damage the animal causes.

The commission was dissolved on June 30, 2025. Since July 1, 2025, the Civil Rights Enforcement Division (CRED) of the Tennessee Attorney General's Office handles housing discrimination complaints.

Since HUD's May 22, 2026 policy change, untrained ESAs are reviewed case by case for federal enforcement. Tennessee's § 66-7-111 still recognizes support animals recommended by a healthcare provider in its rental rules.

Under 14 CFR Part 382, airlines at Nashville (BNA), Memphis (MEM), Knoxville (TYS), Chattanooga (CHA) and Tri-Cities (TRI) may treat an ESA as a pet. A trained psychiatric service dog still flies as a service animal.

With the Attorney General's Civil Rights Enforcement Division within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act (CRED@ag.tn.gov, 615-741-3491), or with HUD within one year. A private Fair Housing Act lawsuit can be filed within two years.