Find a House to Rent That Allows Pets
Your pets are part of your family, but not every landlord wants them around. After all, they can be loud, pesky, dirty, and even destructive. However, using your time efficiently and negotiating can help you land your perfect home.
Contents
Steps
- Check the real estate listings for the area where you want to live. Check online, local newspapers, real estate publications, and anywhere else you can think of that might have rental listings. The more options you have, the better your chances of finding a pet-friendly rental.
- Pick out all of the listing that appeal to you based on your other criteria for a new home.
- Cross out any entries that specifically state "no pets". Circle any that are pet friendly.
- Visit places that advertise as being pet-friendly first. If you find a home you like, it will save you the time and worry of having to negotiate over having a pet in your rental home.
- If you cannot find a pet friendly rental that you like, start looking at other places. If you like the place, talk with the landlord a bit to let him or her know that you are interested. Then bring up the pet.
- Answer any questions your potential landlord has honestly. Don't say that your pet is good with kids, housebroken, or quiet if that isn't the case.
- If the landlord immediately says no, you may want to ask why. The landlord could have unfounded concerns about certain pet issues, such as smell or noise, which may not be a problem with your pet. If they do have a good reason, or they continue to insist that they will not rent to someone with pets, don't push it.
- If the landlord agrees to it, arrange to have him or her meet your pet. Do this in a setting where your pet is comfortable. This will allow you to show off how well behaved your pet is.
- Look online for a pet rider to add on to your rental agreement. Show it to your potential landlord and go over it together. Make any alterations either of you feel are needed. This will provide a legal framework for having your pet live in the rental property.
- If you find a place where you can rent with your pet, be responsible! Remember how hard it can be to find a pet friendly rental. Abide by the agreement you made with your landlord and take responsibility for your pet.
Tips
- If you are really stuck in your search for a pet friendly rental, try contacting a local animal welfare group. They may be able to point you towards some pet friendly renters or help you negotiate with a landlord who is on the fence about your pet.
- If you own an exotic pet or a dog breed that's considered "dangerous" and are moving to a different area, make sure your pet is legal in your new state or town.
- Remember that you and your pet are ambassadors. The way you act could determine whether or not other pet owners are allowed to rent from this landlord. Take full responsibility for making your pet a good member of the community.
- A poorly behaved pet is a tough case to make to any landlord. Make sure you can trust your pet to be neat, friendly, and relatively quiet.
- Be nice to your neighbors, especially if you live in an apartment complex or multi-family home. A neighbor who finds you loud, messy, or inconsiderate may decide that complaining about your pet is the quickest way to get you evicted. Make sure your neighbors know they can come to you with any problems, pet related or not.
- If you have rented before and your pet behaved well, see if you can get a letter of recommendation from your previous landlord.
- Be very clear when talking to your landlord about your situation. You may find that "pet friendly" does not include "cockatoo prone to loud vocalizations at 6 AM" or "{{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long constrictor".
Warnings
- Never try to sneak a pet into a rental home that doesn't allow pets. If caught, you may find yourself evicted and looking for a pet friendly rental once more.
- Don't try to get your pet into a rental advertised as "no pets". This is more than likely a waste of everyone's time.
