Renting with an ESA in Columbia
With the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson both in town, Columbia's rental market includes a lot of students and military families. Five Points and the Vista have student-focused apartments, Shandon and Rosewood offer bungalows and duplexes and the northeast has larger complexes. Columbia summers are long and humid, so if you're looking at a unit with a dog, ask about shaded areas and how far it is to grass. A written request with your letter attached is the cleanest way to start, especially with management companies that oversee many properties.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Five Points
- The Vista
- Shandon
- Rosewood
- Elmwood Park
- Cottontown
South Carolina ESA laws for Columbia renters
South Carolina addresses emotional support animals directly in its own fair housing law. A 2019 amendment, S.C. Code Section 31-21-70(N), sets out what a landlord may ask when you request a non-service animal as an accommodation and what documentation is enough to back up the request. The federal Fair Housing Act applies as well.
- A landlord may ask two things: whether you have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity, and whether you have a disability-related need for the animal.
- Documentation is sufficient under the statute if it shows you have a disability and that the animal provides disability-related assistance or emotional support.
- Fair housing complaints go to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission and must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act.
Your Columbia ESA letter, step by step
Book a time
Pick a phone or video slot online and answer a short questionnaire about how you are feeling and the animal you live with in Columbia.
Talk with a licensed clinician
A licensed clinician spends about 5–10 minutes with you and decides whether an emotional support animal is part of your care.
Get your signed letter
If the clinician approves, your letter is emailed to you as a PDF with their license details. If not, you are not charged.
Share it with your housing provider
Send the letter with a short reasonable accommodation request. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.
Columbia ESA letter cost
| Letter | Covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ESA letter | Up to 2 animals | $129 |
| ESA letter | 3 or more animals | $199 |
Booking is free and you're charged only if your letter is approved.