I rent out individual rooms within a house as I have lots of college students. Most of the time they don’t know each other, but it’s worked out well and they all get along.

I have this one young woman she’s not a student she works, and she’s been with me for about two years. Always pays rent early, is quiet, respectful, I don’t hear a peep from her.

Yesterday out of the blue, she sent me a text, she was wondering if she could get the paperwork could she have an emotional support animal?

She is polite and respectful and last year I let her have a little hamster, and I thanked her for asking.

I didn’t say no as you have to be careful what you say, but I did tell her that it may be a problem since she has roommates because some people are allergic to animals and that could present an issue. I told her if she lived by herself, it would be fine, but she has other people in the apartment to consider

Her response was “that’s fair, I could understand that“. She said she wanted to get a cat. I love cats, but I also have two leather couches in that apartment and I could just imagine it being shred to ribbons.

I know if she found a place that would take an ESA she would move, I even told her I could ask around to any of my other Landlord friends, however, I would need notice and I know I would not have trouble renting that room.

"Sure you can have an ESA cat. No, we don't charge extra rent, deposits or fees. However, you will be responsible for replacing the carpet right away if the cat pees on it or scratches it, and if any of your roommates complain of allergic reactions you will be responsible for the costs of professionally cleaning the unit as often as needed to mitigate their allergies. Estimates range from $1000-$5000 for carpets and $400 per cleaning, probably at least weekly but maybe more often. How soon do you want to get your cat?"

You gave her an inch with the hamster, now she wants the mile.