If you’ve ever wondered how serious Fair Housing laws are when it comes to emotional support animals, here’s your answer. Two Wisconsin landlords just learned that lesson the hard way by paying $20,000 to settle a federal complaint involving a tenant’s emotional support cats and rats. Yes, cats and rats.
So what happened, and what can other landlords learn from it? Let’s break it down.
The Case in a Nutshell
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, landlords Tammy and Ramiro Estrada were accused of violating the Fair Housing Act (FHA) after denying tenant Ashlee Crosno’s request to keep two cats and three rats. Her psychiatrist had recommended emotional support animals to help manage anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.
When Crosno submitted documentation from her psychiatrist, the Estradas reportedly said she could only have one ESA, charged extra pet fees, and even threatened eviction. Things escalated when one of the landlords allegedly called Crosno’s psychiatrist and threatened to report him for supporting her request.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) got involved, issued a charge of discrimination, and later referred the case to the Department of Justice. The result: a $20,000 settlement and mandatory fair-housing training for the landlords.
Why This Case Matters
This isn’t just a story about cats and rats. It’s a real-world example of what happens when landlords misunderstand or ignore the rules around emotional support animals.
Under the Fair Housing Act, emotional support animals aren’t considered pets. That means traditional pet policies, fees, and breed or number limits don’t automatically apply. If a tenant provides legitimate documentation from a licensed health professional, landlords are generally required to make reasonable accommodations.
And here’s the key part: a tenant can make this request before or after getting the animal. Saying “you should’ve asked first” won’t hold up legally.
The Big Takeaways for Landlords
Know the Difference: Emotional support animals are not pets. Pet deposits, monthly pet rent, or pet restrictions usually don’t apply.
Ask, Don’t Assume: You can request documentation from a licensed provider, but don’t dig for personal medical details or try to verify the diagnosis.
Stay Professional: Never contact a tenant’s healthcare provider to challenge their recommendation. That’s crossing a legal and ethical line.
Stay Consistent: Apply the same process to every ESA request. Don’t make up new rules mid-lease or threaten eviction out of frustration.
Educate Yourself: Even experienced landlords can get tripped up by changing regulations. Taking a fair-housing training course is one of the best investments you can make.
The Bottom Line
The Wisconsin case shows how small misunderstandings can spiral into big problems—and expensive ones. For most landlords, the goal isn’t to make life difficult for tenants; it’s to protect their property while following the law.
By handling emotional support animal requests fairly and documenting every step, you can avoid complaints, lawsuits, and stress. Plus, you’ll show tenants that you’re a professional who values both compliance and compassion.
So the next time someone brings up an emotional support animal, don’t panic. Just take a breath, review your policies, and remember: it’s better to spend five minutes learning the rules than $20,000 learning them the hard way.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Property management laws, Fair Housing regulations, and emotional support animal requirements may vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified attorney or fair housing specialist before making decisions that could affect your legal rights or obligations as a landlord or property manager.
