How to Find Pet Friendly Housing

When you have pets and you rent housing you are well aware of the difficulties in finding Pet Friendly Housing, especially in the city. Some cities and areas are much more Pet Friendly, while others are not at all. This means that if you do own pets and you rent you need to be a little more prepared and a lot more patient to find the place of your dreams. Here are some tips to help you in your quest for the perfect place to live.

Give yourself lots of time! Don't expect to find a pet friendly place to live, let alone one that you like in days. It can take weeks and sometimes even months to find a place that will meet your needs. Start searching the local classifieds and online rental sites well ahead of your planned move date so you can start to get an idea of what is out there and which areas and buildings are pet friendly. It's also helpful to talk to Real Estate Agents in the area.

Write a Pet Resume. Yes, you read it correctly. A Pet Resume will answer any questions of a potential landlord. The resume should contain basic information such as Breed, Age, Recent Shots, Training, and a Picture of your pet. It is also helpful to reference your local Veterinarian so the landlord knows your pet receives regular health checkups.

List your Needs. Write a list of what amenities you absolutely must have in your apartment/building, and what you would like but can also live without. Keep in mind that finding a Pet Friendly place is hard enough without a long list of other needs. You may need to sacrifice a few luxuries of the building or apartment for your pet.

Pet Deposit. Be prepared to pay a Pet Deposit over and beyond your regular Damage Deposit. This is common for people renting with Pets as it protects the landlord from any damage caused by your animal. This shouldn't be a problem if your pet is trained, and will be returned at the end of your tenancy if there is no damage caused by your pet. It is also helpful to offer to pay a Pet Deposit in your Pet Resume as it shows the landlord you trust your pets training.

Don't Waste Time. Don't bother trying to apply for a building that has a no pet policy. Some buildings do this and you're better off searching for building that does allows pets.

Be Patient! Finding a place will take time, so don't expect it to happen immediately. Do not get frustrated if you have a couple of applications denied. Many apartment units are individually owned, which means the owner of that specific unit has the last say in whether or not to allow pets into the unit. Keep looking and you will find that perfect place, and you will be glad you did because you'll have your beloved pets with you!

And last but not least ~ Goodluck!