Renting with an ESA in Burlington
Finding an apartment in Burlington is hard. Vacancy is very low, students from UVM and Champlain College compete with year-round residents and many rentals are older houses split into units in the Old North End and the Hill Section. Landlords know they can pick and choose, which makes some reluctant to accept animals at all. A well-documented emotional support animal request still has to be considered on its merits, and Vermont's own fair housing law protects renters with disabilities too.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Old North End
- Hill Section
- South End
- New North End
- Downtown
- Lakeside
Vermont ESA laws for Burlington renters
Vermont doesn't have a statute aimed only at emotional support animals. Instead, its fair housing law, 9 V.S.A. 4503, makes it unlawful to refuse reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services that a person with a disability needs to use and enjoy a home. An ESA request in Vermont fits under that duty and the federal Fair Housing Act.
- Section 4503(a)(9) separately bars housing discrimination against a person who relies on aids such as specially trained animals.
- The accommodation duty reaches public and common areas of a property, not only the inside of your own unit.
- The Vermont Human Rights Commission takes housing discrimination complaints and can be reached at 802-828-2480 or through its online complaint page.
Your Burlington 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 Burlington.
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.
Burlington 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.