Having a pet definitely makes life more enjoyable. Your four-legged friend can turn a house into a home and bring pure happiness to your life. Moving with pets, however, can be a real challenge. Some landlords might not be too keen on having tenants with pets but, believe it or not, there are plenty of beautiful pet-friendly apartments and rental homes out there. There are even a few landlords who would absolutely adore your furry roommate, you just have to know where to find them. So here’s the lowdown on how to find a pet friendly apartment.
Don’t Rush It
When it comes to finding a pet-friendly apartment, patience is everything. The best pet-friendly apartments will have the lowest vacancy rates, so it’s important to start your search early and be prepared. Bide your time, scope out your favorite spots, save your money, and be ready when the time comes.
Get Your Pet Resume Ready
Spend some time creating (or updating) your pet’s resume. If you have a rambunctious puppy, enroll them in obedience school, and keep the certificate in case your landlord wants proof you have a well-behaved dog. Get your pet groomed regularly to keep them clean and healthy. Spay or neuter your pet, vaccinate your pet, get regular checkups, and keep all the records. Build a good rapport with your vet, current landlord, roommates, neighbors, and dog sitters; personal recommendations can go a long way.
Make a Good First Impression
A happy, healthy, well-behaved, doughy-eyed pet can be quite persuasive. If this describes your pet, then bring them along throughout the application process. They might just help seal the deal. You can also keep a few good photos on your phone, especially ones that show off how clean your house is in the background, and show your future landlord during your walk-through.
Buy Peace of Mind
Pet damage is a major concern for landlords. The rental apartment or home is their investment, after all. Help ease those fears by offering to pay a pet deposit or pet rental fee. You can also offer to purchase a renter’s insurance policy that covers pet damage. These policies are fairly cheap, and may provide the peace of mind a prospective landlord needs.
If Necessary, Buy More Time
If there are less than two weeks left on your current lease, it’s time to buy some more time. See if the landlord can extend your current lease. Look for short-term rentals where you can make-do for a few weeks, or put your stuff in storage and stay in a pet-friendly B&B.
The process of moving can be extremely stressful, and there’s no point in doing it more than you need to. The best bet is to find the right rental the first time, maintain a good relationship with your landlord, and enjoy your new home with your four-legged friend.
This article was updated on 11/2/18.