Looking for an apartment in today’s unpredictable market is a monumental undertaking. Even more so when an animal companion is along for the ride. When looking for apartments that accommodate pets, the terms “Pets Allowed” and “Pet Friendly” often feel like they are being used interchangeably. In reality, there is a very big difference between the two terms, and knowledge is your friend in this endeavor. Even upon finding an apartment that seems ready to welcome you and your furry family with open arms, any number of obstacles and hidden hurdles may present themselves to even the best-equipped apartment seeker. Below is an exploration of some of the most common questions that arise around pet friendly and pets allowed apartments, along with tips to avoid some common pitfalls for pet-owning apartment seekers.
Is “Pets Allowed” the same as “Pet Friendly”
The simple answer is no. “Pet friendly” and “Pets allowed” mean two very different things. Let’s first keep in mind that either of these terms appearing on an apartment search does not automatically mean the property will welcome your pet, only that management is open to pets and allows them in varying degrees. This differs per property owner and often stems from their calculations on potential damages caused by particular breeds and animal species. The difference between “allowed” and “friendly” is largely legal and is a way for potential tenants to differentiate between properties that are simply open to allowing pets to cohabitate with their owners and “friendly” properties that also provide resources to those owners: often included in the cost of the rent.
Some of the possible resources included in a pet friendly apartment may include pet daycare, spaces for activities, waste stations, and fountains and baths for animals, although each property is different. Be sure to do a thorough search of the pet amenities included when apartment searching, and never be afraid to ask to tour them during a walk-through or open house. Apartments that are “Pets Allowed” will likely have stricter rules and regulations around how your animals are allowed to conduct themselves in public spaces, as well as potentially higher fines for pet-related damages.
What can I expect when applying for an apartment with a pet?
You can expect a lot of questions from your landlord, especially if you are planning on bringing a dog. It’s important to be honest when answering these queries because legal action can be taken against you if it’s discovered you purposefully misrepresented the type or number of pets you planned on bringing with you into the space. Some questions you can expect include:
- What type of pet?
- How long have you owned it?
- Does it get along with other pets?
- Is it well behaved when left on its own?
- How often will you be home?
- Any medical issues?
- Does it have a history of violence?
You should also be ready for any past complaints made against your animals to possibly appear in a background search. These are routine for landlords when accepting new tenants. You may have to present your animal for approval if you’re applying to a location with any type of renters association or board.
What types of pets can I have in an apartment?
When it comes to animals allowed in pet friendly residences, low-maintenance is the word that should be on the front of your mind. Low-maintenance animals are those that are unlikely to cause harm to property and unlikely to bother other tenants. Examples of low-maintenance pets include fish, guinea pigs, cats, birds, turtles, and hamsters. Dogs, however, are where things tend to get complicated, as oftentimes, property owners can have subjective opinions on what constitutes a low-maintenance dog. These distinctions are sometimes made along the lines of size and allergy potential, but most often, you’ll find breed has more to do with it than anything. There are state-based restrictions on what kind of dog you can have in apartment residences alongside other pets and tenants. While it varies, often-banned dog breeds include Pit-bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Wolf Dogs, Canary Mastiffs, and Doberman Pinschers.
What if my building says “No Pets”
While a “no pets” designation may sound discouraging, it’s not always a complete dead-end in pet ownership. These locations may, on occasion, make exceptions for supporting animals and pets who serve a medical purpose. This can sometimes be negotiated with a landlord, especially if the pet is simultaneously low-maintenance. On that note – sometimes pets like fish, gerbils, turtles, and lizards can skirt these restrictions altogether with a proper appeal.
There’s a fabled “3-month rule” that posits that it becomes illegal to force the tenant to remove a pet if a tenant can keep a disallowed pet on the property for three months or more without the landlord’s removal of the animal. There is some truth to this, but with a load of nuance to tamper any would-be animal smugglers. Several specific legal stipulations and conditions must be met for this loophole to be potentially exploited. Even then, you’d likely have to hire representation to help litigate the case with your landlord, as there are steps they would likely take to combat this. It’s wisest to be straightforward and honest with the property owner about the intent to bring an animal into the space, there’s always a chance an exception will be made.
How can I pet-proof my apartment and keep my security deposit?
So you got the apartment! Great! How do we ensure you keep your security deposit at the end of your stay? Given that your pet may be prone to running amok as animals do. Below you’ll find some excellent tips for pet-proofing your apartment and ensuring you can pocket that cash for your next trip to Pet-Co.
- Keep animals in specific areas in your apartment. Keeping your animals in mostly tiled or finished spaces and away from carpets and stainable material helps with inevitable clean-ups.
- While allowing your animal to free roam over your space can be tempting, pet boundaries are an important tool in keeping your living space pet damage free. There are several all-natural repellents and home remedies that can discourage your critter from wandering into areas where they shouldn’t be and train them away from vulnerable areas.
- It’s prudent to keep animals (especially cats) away from the kitchen and food-prep areas, as well as store food in high places away from prying paws. This can also help keep your animal away from foods that would sicken them and cause unfortunate messes.
- Make sure your animals have plenty of toys to keep them occupied, and invest in scratching posts and other diversions to keep animals from pawing at or eating furniture. Under-stimulated animals are more likely to cause property damage out of boredom or distress.
- For safety reasons, taping up or otherwise insulating cords and wires is suggested. Here’s another place where that pet repellent spray will come in very handy. In addition to protecting your expensive electronics, it can save your curious little buddy from a shocking conclusion.
- Toilets and sinks should also be safeguarded from swatting appendages and lapping tongues with boundaries or safety stops. In 2020 in the city of Kingston-upon-Hull in England, a cat left home alone caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of water damage when it turned on a faucet and flooded several floors of a flat. Don’t worry, thankfully, the cat was not injured.
- An extra tip if you have both a cat and a dog: keep your dog as far away from the cat’s litter box as possible, as they’re likely to go digging for gold, leaving you with a mess and possible property damage.
Searching for an apartment with a pet can be daunting, but it is a surmountable task. Hopefully, this serves as a quick crash course to equip you to find the location that serves your needs the best. Know that each situation is different, and there are no guarantees either way rather or not your particular pet will be allowed. It’s always good to be honest and straightforward when searching for an apartment with a pet. With these tools and an understanding of your legal rights in your jurisdiction, you should be able to find affordable pet-friendly housing anywhere you and your furry family decide to set up camp next.
