You might consider your pet as part of your family, but that doesn’t mean your landlord will have the same perspective. For example, it has been estimated that less than 50% of apartment listings in the US accept pets.
This shows that most apartment owners won’t let you in with your pets. This is quite a sad statistic considering that about 62% of Americans own at least one pet.
However, the good news is that there are ways you can hack that statistic and find an apartment to accommodate you and your furry roommate. Let’s dive in and check some of these creative ways to find a pet-friendly apartment.
Know Your Pet Type First
Pet restrictions are not general as most landlords only limit certain types. Mostly, landlords will not allow you in their apartment if your pet is categorized as aggressive. Aggressive pets are mostly canines, including pit bulls, German shepherds, terriers, Alaska malamutes, Dobermans, and Rottweilers, among others.
This list may vary, and that is why you need to know if your pet is classified as aggressive in the first place. It is necessary to remember that even pet-friendly apartments can restrict you from accommodating these breeds. The reason they restrict aggressive pets is to maintain the safety of other tenants.
- Utilize Online Tools to Find Pet-Friendly Condos
Now that you know your pet type, let’s take a look at the most effective method for finding a pet-friendly rental. Online property listing sites are most effective for narrowing down your search. These might include Apartments.com, Craigslist, and Trulia, among others.
Each of these sites has a filter section that allows you to weed out apartments that don’t accept pets. This means that your search results will only display results with pet-friendly apartments.
For example, searching for pet friendly condos for sale in Myrtle Beach, SC, requires you to filter out listings that don’t accommodate pets.
- Consider Private Landlords
While apartment owners might be strict with pet restrictions, private landlords are easier to wear down through negotiations. You can both agree on terms of pet handling, so it does not interfere with neighbors or even cause harm to other people.
While some private landlords might also have a strict no pet policy, you can still use the method mentioned above to filter them out.
- Pay Pet Deposit and Fees
This one mostly applies if your pet is not classified as aggressive. You can negotiate with your landlord on paying pet fees, which are mostly a one-time payment. On the other hand, pet deposits are refundable after your lease ends, but the pet rent is usually paid monthly.
This even has a high success rate if you have a letter of recommendations from previous landlords or pet obedience trainers. If your tenant is still over the fence, you can opt to option number 1 listed above.
We hope this information helps you and wish you luck in your search for a pet-friendly condo.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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