6 Ways Renters Can Approach the Challenge of Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental Apartment

Sharing is caring!

women with pets

You love them and can’t imagine living without them. You enjoy your pet’s companionship, playing with them, taking them for walks, and even talking to them. But it won’t be easy to find the perfect apartment where you can live with your furry family member because not every landlord will accept your four-legged roommate here in Texas. Namely, some places have strict rules about the pet’s weight, and some of them entirely ban pets in their rental house or apartment.

So, having all that in mind, we know that finding pet-friendly rentals isn’t easy, but it is not mission impossible. Pets are an essential part of many households; therefore, here are some tips on finding a rental house or apartment that best meets your and your furry friend’s needs.

Be honest with your landlord

You already know that finding a home to rent can be extremely hard, but it could be double tricky when you try to find a good home with a pet. Some landlords are determined that pets shouldn’t be allowed, and some house bylaws ban all animals except guide dogs in their buildings. Therefore, tenants and landlords should be honest with each other. A landlord and tenant relationship should be built on honesty and trust. So, if you have a pet that never causes any problems, do not sneak it into a building that doesn’t allow them. Instead, be open with your landlord from the first day of renting, and maybe they will make an exception for you and your furry friend.

Read local regulations

Every landlord has a different pet policy, but most contain one or more rules for renting with pets. Here are some of them. Most apartment buildings limit the number of pets and allow having one or two pets. On the other hand, some apartments have weight restrictions and don’t allow dogs over 55 lbs. In addition, many landlords don’t allow “aggressive” dog breeds such as Dobermans, German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, Pit Bulls, Terriers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, etc. Those are the commonly restricted breeds, although the list can vary. Unfortunately, despite you thinking that your pet is harmless, most insurance companies and landlords consider these breeds risky “tenants.”

Texas is pet-friendly

According to studies, the top three pet-friendly US states are Texas, Florida, and South Carolina. These states spend the most money on pets; their owners have the most social media activity about pets. They have the most pet shelters per 100,000 residents and parks and pet-friendly restaurants, stores, and apartments abound. The price range of a pet-friendly apartment is between $275 and $99,999,999, and the average Texas pet-friendly apartment size is 1,260 sq. ft. As it is not hard to find pet-friendly apartments in Texas, you can browse some comfortable Odessa apartments and choose one that suits you. In addition, Texas is the most pet-friendly state, according to the studies that researched the pet population, rental apartments that allow pets, and laws that prevent and protect pets from abuse.

Create a pet resume

Like a human, a pet resume gives an overview of your pet. This document can include information about training, obedience, or reference from dog trainers, pet sitters, or vets. In addition, it is good to have your favorite activities, photos, or a quick adoption story listed.

A pet resume shows that your pet is a well-behaved creature and that you are a responsible pet guardian.

Pet rental insurance

Purchasing pet insurance is a good idea because many landlords feel more comfortable if your pet is insured. That can be extremely helpful if you have a so-called aggressive breed. Find insurance that includes dog bites, dangerous breed exclusions, or other limitations. Keep in mind that most rental insurance firms don’t cover bites, so you might need to get a particular pet insurance policy. As we’ve already mentioned, many apartment buildings limit the number of pets. However, they often allow you to have one pet in the home. For example, landlords will allow only sterilized animals to avoid potential offspring when female cats are in question.

Be ready to pay extra

Almost all apartments want the tenants to pay extra money for bringing their pet friend. However, some cities limit these fees, so you should research local regulations regarding more than one animal in the rental household to avoid astronomical payments that your landlord may require from you. There are three typical types of these costs: non-refundable pet fees, non-refundable deposits, and refundable pet deposits.

Let’s summarize. Landlords may allow pets for a tenant, so be free to ask even if the property isn’t advertised as pet-friendly. Be honest with your landlord, prepare a pet resume, be ready to pay extra money for your furry friend, and do some research about legal regulations.

Sharing is caring!

Speak Your Mind

*