How to Find Dog Friendly Rental Apartments

If you are a renter that owns a dog, you realize it is not always easy to find a rental apartment that allows pets. Have you ever wondered why so many rentals do not allow pets? Can you change a landlord's mind? Where can you find listings for pet friendly apartments? Let us take a look at these questions and come up with some answers for you.

Why don't all apartment rentals allow pets?

The most common reasons pets are not allowed to live in many rental units is because the landlords have had prior experiences that were not very pleasant. Just because an apartment allows dogs doesn't give the renters the right to take advantage of that. It is up to the renters to walk their dogs and pick up after their dogs. Dogs left alone all day in apartments probably have caused damage to carpet or barked all day and disturbed other tenants. Landlords don't want to deal with those issues. To make it easy on themselves, they don't allow pets. You don't want to be lumped into the group of non-caring renters.

Can I talk a landlord into allowing me to have a dog in a non-pet friendly apartment?

The odds are against you, but you can give it your best shot. Here are some suggestions:

* If you have previously lived in a rental with a pet, ask that landlord to give you a letter of recommendation. If your dog has attended obedience classes, make sure you have a certificate of completion. Have it in writing that your dog has all its necessary shots and that it has been spayed or neutered. Have proof that you have the dog on flea and tick control product(s).

* Once you have those documents you can try to talk a landlord into allowing you and your dog to live in a non-pet friendly apartment. If it is a large complex run by a management company, you may not stand much of a chance. If you are working with a smaller apartment complex or trying to rent privately from an individual, the proof may help change the landlord's mind in your favor.

* You also have to sell yourself to the landlord. Let the landlord know you are a responsible person. State that you always pay on time and that you will be responsible for your dog's actions. Tell the landlord that you will take good care of his property.

* Most people can't say no when they are looking into the eyes of a dog. Suggest that you let the landlord meet with your pet so he can see how friendly and well behaved your dog is.

* To help push the landlord over to your side a little faster, offer to pay a little more rent or a larger security deposit than he is requesting.

* If the landlord turns you down, accept it and look elsewhere. Never rent an apartment and then sneak in a dog. That's a good way to get evicted.

It may take a little time and effort, but if you can convince a landlord to allow your dog into a non-pet friendly apartment, you need to follow through and be a good tenant from that moment on. You may be helping to pave the way for other dog lovers!

Listing of pet friendly rentals

If you have tried to convince a landlord to allow your dog but did not succeed, the easier way to go is to move into an apartment complex or rental home that is already pet friendly. Click here - the link will take you to a page that lists many sites where you can search for pet friendly rentals in your area of choice. They are broken down by state, which will make it easy for you to find a pen friendly rental where you want to live.

Be a responsible pet owner and a responsible tenant!

Source:

Humanesociety.org