Service vs. Emotional Support Animals: Michigan Renters' Guide

Accessibility & Disability Accommodations Michigan published: June 21, 2025 Flag of Michigan

If you're a renter in Michigan and need a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA), understanding your rights can help you maintain a safe, comfortable home. The laws in Michigan protect renters with disabilities and outline what landlords must allow regarding service animals and ESAs. This guide breaks down the differences, your rights, official forms, and steps to follow—all supported by Michigan and federal law.

Understanding the Difference: Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals

It's essential to know that Michigan law—and federal law—treats service animals and ESAs differently. Here’s what sets them apart:

  • Service Animals are trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability—like guiding someone who is blind or alerting someone to a seizure. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), only dogs (and sometimes miniature horses) qualify.
  • Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not trained for specific tasks but provide comfort or emotional support. ESAs are protected by the federal Fair Housing Act, not the ADA.

Both types are considered disability accommodations, but different laws and standards apply.

Your Rights as a Renter in Michigan

As a Michigan renter, federal and state laws give you certain protections if you need a service animal or ESA, even if your lease says ‘no pets’ or restricts animal types.

  • Landlords must allow service animals and ESAs as reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
  • Landlords cannot charge extra pet deposits or fees for service animals or ESAs.
  • Reasonable documentation may be required for ESAs, but not for service animals beyond asking if the animal is required due to a disability and what tasks it performs.
  • Landlords can refuse an animal only if it poses a direct threat or causes significant property damage—not because of breed, size, or insurance restrictions.

These protections stem from the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act and the federal Fair Housing Act.[1],[2]

Paperwork and Forms: What Renters Need

If you need an ESA, landlords may request reliable documentation from a healthcare provider explaining your need. You do not need to use a specific Michigan form, but documentation must:

  • Come from a licensed professional (doctor, therapist, counselor)
  • State that you have a disability and need the animal for support
  • Not include detailed medical history—just enough to confirm the need

Service animals: No documentation is typically required unless the disability is not obvious.

Form Example: Reasonable Accommodation Request

There is no required state form, but HUD offers a sample Request for Reasonable Accommodation. You can use this to submit a written request to your landlord. For example:

  • When to use: If your landlord refuses your service animal or ESA, give them a written request outlining your accommodation needs.
  • How to use: Submit this request to your landlord or property manager with your healthcare provider's documentation (for ESAs).

Michigan does not have a numbered state form, but some local fair housing agencies may provide additional templates.

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How to Handle Landlord Concerns or Disputes

If your landlord refuses your request or tries to evict you because of a service animal or ESA, you have options:

Tip: Keep written records of your communications and requests for accommodation. Document dates, names, and what was said or sent.

When Can a Landlord Deny an Animal?

A landlord may deny your request only if:

  • The animal poses a direct threat to other residents
  • The animal has caused substantial property damage
  • Allowing the animal would impose an undue financial or administrative burden

Summary: Most Michigan renters with disabilities are legally allowed service animals and ESAs, but following proper request procedures protects your rights.

Michigan Tenant Law and Disability Protections

Relevant Michigan tenant law includes:

  1. Can Michigan landlords charge pet fees for service animals or ESAs?
    No. Landlords may not charge pet fees or higher deposits for service animals or emotional support animals used as a disability accommodation.
  2. What kind of proof is needed for an ESA in Michigan?
    A letter from a licensed healthcare provider. It must state you have a disability and that the animal helps alleviate symptoms, but no medical details are needed.
  3. Can a landlord deny a service animal based on breed restrictions?
    No. Service animals (and ESAs) cannot be denied because of breed, size, or insurance policy restrictions unless the animal poses a direct threat.
  4. Is a landlord allowed to ask for documentation for a service animal?
    Only if your disability is not apparent. They can ask if it’s required because of a disability and what tasks it performs, but may not demand documentation or certification.
  5. Where can I file a housing discrimination complaint in Michigan?
    With the Michigan Department of Civil Rights or HUD's Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity office.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

  1. Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.1101–37.1607)
  2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Assistance Animals
  3. ADA Requirements: Service Animals

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Bob Jones
Bob Jones

Editor & Researcher, Tenant Rights USA

Bob writes and reviews tenant law content for various regions. They’re passionate about housing justice and simplifying legal protections for renters everywhere.

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