3 Tips to Ensure You Score the Pet-Friendly Apartment of Your Dreams

It’s a feeling pet-owners and renters know all too well. You find an amazing place to rent, only to have to turn it down in the end because the landlord won’t let every member of your family live there. In the US, more than 60 percent of pet owners consider their dog or cat a member of the family, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s US Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. Unfortunately, a lot of landlords take a look at pets and don’t see a family member but a liability. Finding a pet-friendly place is just the first step to successfully renting with a furry friend.

Convincing the Landlord

If you already have a pet and are looking for a new place to live, the simplest thing to do is look for buildings that permit the type of pet you own. For example, if you’re searching for Raleigh apartments for rent, you can narrow your search to include only places that allow cats, small dogs, large dogs or pets in general. Looking for places that permit pets from the start can help you avoid any headache or heartache in your search.

You can also try to convince a landlord with a “no pets” policy to let you move in with Fido or Fluffy. The Massachusetts Animal Coalition has put together a list of excellent reasons why an apartment owner would want a pet-owning tenant. For example, the landlord can charge a higher rent or can collect a pet deposit. Pet owners tend to stay in apartments for longer periods of time, since it is more difficult for them to find a place that accepts them and their pets, so the landlord can expect to have the place occupied longer.

Write Up a Resume (for Your Pet)

Along with convincing your landlord of the financial benefits to him or her of letting you and your pet move in, you can highlight your pet’s awesome qualities by creating a pet resume. Your pet’s resume won’t highlight work experience, but rather all the features that make him a great apartment-dweller. The Connecticut Humane Society recommends including important medical details on the resume, such as whether your pet is spayed or neuter, the name of his or her veterinarian and his or her vaccination history.

You can also include references for your pet on the resume. For example, list your past few landlords and their contact information, if you had a good experience with them. You can include references from others who see your pet regularly, such as his or her groomer or the dog walker.

Take Your Dog Out Regularly

Taking your dog out for regular walks will help him avoid undesirable behaviors, such as chewing, scratching and barking, according to the ASPCA. While a cat can and should stay inside, your dog needs to go out, usually at least once every six to 10 hours, especially if he’s in a small space. If your schedule keeps you away from your apartment for hours at a stretch, hire a dog walker to come by and take your pet for some exercise. Use a site such as Care to find dog walkers who have undergone background checks and have references.

Robert O’leary
Robert blogs about the ever-changing retail industry. He likes to run with his two dogs in his free time. He’s training for a marathon.