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Blog Post
5 Tips to Renting Successfully as a Pet Owner
- By Admin
- •
- 28 Aug, 2018
For many Americans, pets are just as much members of the family as humans are. But sharing an apartment with your animal friends can add layers of complexity. Here's a short guide to getting and keeping an apartment as a pet owner.
1. Stick With Pet-Friendly Units
Limit your apartment hunting to landlords that welcome the size, breed, number, and type of pets you have. Hiding a pet in your living situation could create stress that you don't need in your life — and that can bleed over into your pet's psyche as well.
In addition, disregarding the rules could result in you or your animal being evicted, putting both of you at risk for being homeless. If you want to get more pets but your current landlord doesn’t allow it, save it until after you're ready to move on to another rental unit.
2. Know the Added Costs
Renting with pets often comes with some added expenses. The more you prepare for these costs, the easier it will be to work with the system. Most landlords that allow pets require a higher (or additional) security deposit. You may also have to pay a higher monthly fee to keep a pet. And many owners want you to keep renter's insurance to cover the costs of potential pet damage.
In addition to the rental requirements, sharing an apartment with an animal often means paying for services and keeping the pet in good condition. You may want to pay for animal daycare, for example, to keep your dog or cat happy when you're gone. You may also have no place to wash and groom large pets, so you'll need to pay for this service elsewhere.
3. Provide Pet Documentation
One way to help ensure that landlords won't have a problem with your animal is to have its resume ready to go. What's in a pet resume? Include a list of current vaccinations, proof of spaying or neutering, and a clean bill of health from your veterinarian.
If you've had the animal in a rental home before, ask the prior landlord if they will provide a written or telephone reference for the pet's good behavior. If you've completed any kind of obedience training, attach the registration or certificate of completion.
4. Train Your Pet
Once you and your pet find a good apartment, put in some work to make sure you can keep it. Find a training method you and your animal friends enjoy, and work with them before and after moving into the rental.
Dogs should know a few basic commands to keep them under control around other animals, at the front door, and on walks in the neighborhood. Cats and other animals should be trained not to destroy the door, window treatments, or flooring materials as well.
5. Get Your Pet Some Friends
In addition to training, be sure your pet gets plenty of socialization and exercise. A bored dog, many trainers agree, is a naughty dog.
If you're routinely gone for long periods of time, consider hiring a dog walker to take Fido out for a stroll during the day. Utilize doggy day care occasionally for socialization. Hire a neighbor's mature child to come in and play with your cat, bunny, or birds while you're at work. And make sure that your dog gets walks every day.
Help your pet make friends with a few neighbors as well. Introduce the pet to neighbors above, below, and beside your apartment. Arrange animal dates if possible, and help the neighbors to get to know your pet's temperament and friendliness. Once you do make a few pet friends, give the owners a key to your place in case your animal needs to get out while you're gone.
While renting a home as a pet owner can be challenging, it's also extremely rewarding. Start your rental journey by checking out the pet-friendly rental options available at Wilson Property Management today.
1. Stick With Pet-Friendly Units
Limit your apartment hunting to landlords that welcome the size, breed, number, and type of pets you have. Hiding a pet in your living situation could create stress that you don't need in your life — and that can bleed over into your pet's psyche as well.
In addition, disregarding the rules could result in you or your animal being evicted, putting both of you at risk for being homeless. If you want to get more pets but your current landlord doesn’t allow it, save it until after you're ready to move on to another rental unit.
2. Know the Added Costs
Renting with pets often comes with some added expenses. The more you prepare for these costs, the easier it will be to work with the system. Most landlords that allow pets require a higher (or additional) security deposit. You may also have to pay a higher monthly fee to keep a pet. And many owners want you to keep renter's insurance to cover the costs of potential pet damage.
In addition to the rental requirements, sharing an apartment with an animal often means paying for services and keeping the pet in good condition. You may want to pay for animal daycare, for example, to keep your dog or cat happy when you're gone. You may also have no place to wash and groom large pets, so you'll need to pay for this service elsewhere.
3. Provide Pet Documentation
One way to help ensure that landlords won't have a problem with your animal is to have its resume ready to go. What's in a pet resume? Include a list of current vaccinations, proof of spaying or neutering, and a clean bill of health from your veterinarian.
If you've had the animal in a rental home before, ask the prior landlord if they will provide a written or telephone reference for the pet's good behavior. If you've completed any kind of obedience training, attach the registration or certificate of completion.
4. Train Your Pet
Once you and your pet find a good apartment, put in some work to make sure you can keep it. Find a training method you and your animal friends enjoy, and work with them before and after moving into the rental.
Dogs should know a few basic commands to keep them under control around other animals, at the front door, and on walks in the neighborhood. Cats and other animals should be trained not to destroy the door, window treatments, or flooring materials as well.
5. Get Your Pet Some Friends
In addition to training, be sure your pet gets plenty of socialization and exercise. A bored dog, many trainers agree, is a naughty dog.
If you're routinely gone for long periods of time, consider hiring a dog walker to take Fido out for a stroll during the day. Utilize doggy day care occasionally for socialization. Hire a neighbor's mature child to come in and play with your cat, bunny, or birds while you're at work. And make sure that your dog gets walks every day.
Help your pet make friends with a few neighbors as well. Introduce the pet to neighbors above, below, and beside your apartment. Arrange animal dates if possible, and help the neighbors to get to know your pet's temperament and friendliness. Once you do make a few pet friends, give the owners a key to your place in case your animal needs to get out while you're gone.
While renting a home as a pet owner can be challenging, it's also extremely rewarding. Start your rental journey by checking out the pet-friendly rental options available at Wilson Property Management today.