Emotional Support Animal - Bogus "Documentation"? FHA, ADA, HUD

[Marie Machosky]

Hi all,

I'm new at this landlord gig and I have a bit of a dilemma. A tenant asked if they could adopt a pet; when I replied with the information regarding deposit and pet rent, I never heard back until I followed up today (3 weeks later), making sure they saw my email, and reminding them that having an unauthorized pet would be a violation of their lease agreement. They replied within an hour with a note from a "doctor" in Michigan (we're in Texas) stating they need the Emotional Support PET (not "Animal" - an important semantical difference). The note was not signed but does appear to be from an actual doctor (though again - halfway across the country). Do I have a leg to stand on here, or just let it go? Everything I've ready from the HUD says a landlord can request "reliable" documentation from the tenant. But what does "reliable" look like? Another internet source (not the HUD, just a website) mentioned the doctor should be from within the same state. Spidey senses say they're just trying to get out of paying their rent. I'm also very aware of what a disability discrimination claim could cost. And yes, I already know - I'm not going to ask them for details of their disability. What should I do?

Marie