Renting with an ESA in Nashville
Nashville's building boom has put new mid-rises in the Gulch, Midtown and along Charlotte Avenue, while East Nashville and 12 South still have plenty of duplexes and cottages leased by individual owners. Short-term rental conversions have squeezed supply on some streets, and a tight market can make landlords pickier with applicants who mention animals. Buildings run by large companies usually want letters uploaded through an online portal. Once a request is approved, ask for written confirmation so the decision follows you if management changes.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- East Nashville
- The Gulch
- 12 South
- Germantown
- Sylvan Park
- The Nations
Tennessee ESA laws for Nashville renters
Tennessee spells out support animal requests in rental housing in Tenn. Code Ann. 66-7-111. You can ask a landlord to make an exception to a no-pet rule, an animal limit or an animal fee, and the landlord may ask for reliable documentation if your disability or need isn't apparent. The statute also says which kinds of paperwork don't count.
- Paperwork from a website whose main business is selling certificates or ID documents for animals is not reliable documentation under 66-7-111.
- A landlord may verify your letter, but the statute doesn't let them obtain confidential or protected medical records.
- Knowingly giving a landlord a false disability claim or false animal documentation is a Class B misdemeanor under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-16-304, and it also counts as a lease default.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. 66-7-111
Your Nashville 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 Nashville.
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.
Nashville 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.