What To Expect When Renting A Pet-Friendly Apartment
Renting an apartment with a pet is very different than renting one without a pet, and one key difference is that it may take more effort to find a building where pets are allowed. Once you find a building like this, there may be other rules relating to having a pet there, and it is important to understand these things when you begin looking for a unit. In fact, here are some of the main things you should expect as you begin looking for pet-friendly apartments.
They Are Harder to Find
Pet-friendly apartments are becoming more popular today than in the past, but they are still harder to find than units that do not allow pets. This is primarily because some landlords do not want to deal with all the issues that relate to pets. Therefore, some landlords will just simply not allow them. There are, however, many landlords that do allow them, but you may have to look a little harder to find them.
There Are Rules Relating to the Pets You Can Have
Secondly, you should expect to find rules relating to the pets when you eventually find a landlord that allows pets. The rules can vary, but many landlords begin with limiting the types of pets you can have. For example, you might be able to have cats, birds, and fish but not dogs. If a landlord does allow dogs, there may be certain breeds you cannot have. Your pet may also have to be a certain size or smaller in order to rent an apartment there.
You Will Have to Sign a Pet Agreement
It is also important to know that when you rent a pet-friendly apartment with a pet, you will likely have to sign an additional agreement other than the lease, and this is called a pet agreement. This agreement outlines the rules and responsibilities you will have when living there, and you will have to follow these if you want to avoid fees and eviction. You may also have to agree to pay an extra deposit to move in, and this is called a pet deposit. You may even have to pay a higher monthly rate for your rent, simply to cover the potential risks the landlord assumes by allowing a pet to live there.
As you begin your search for a pet-friendly apartment, start calling around to different landlords and property management companies, and you will eventually find a good apartment that allows pets.
