Tips to Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental

Written by Posted On Friday, 24 May 2019 05:00

One of the causes of pet relinquishment is lack of pet-friendly rental houses. Research by the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals revealed that lack of pet-friendly housing was the top reason many Americans gave up on their pets. Worse, not all pets are allowed in rental apartments. Many rental houses only allow cats and dogs and restrict certain breeds. Thus, people should give themselves plenty of time to research and prepare because moving with their pets can be hard and expensive. Below are a few tricks of the trade to make it easier to find a pet-friendly housing option.

Start to Prepare Early

Rarely do people pack their household and move without notice. Pet owners should give themselves more than one month ahead of relocating to research and save up for expenses such as refundable pet deposit. Of course, everyone wants to make their home comfortable for their pet, and people are looking for ways to introduce their puppy or cat to a new home.

Ask Around

You might be surprised how experienced your relatives and friends are with pet-friendly houses. Maybe a workmate has experience living in rental apartments that were pet-friendly and can refer you to a landlord who allows tenants to move in with their pets. Your vet can also help you find a pet-friendly house, so heed to their advice and suggestions. Alternatively, contact the animal care agency serving the region you want to relocate to and ask them to provide you a list of apartments that are pet-friendly. You can also ask for leads from any resident managers, rental agents, and realtors who share your love for pets or own pet themselves.

Online Search

The best place to search for a rental apartment that allows pets is the internet. You can also like Facebook pages or join Whatsapp groups dedicated to rental services. You can also check the lists of apartments that allow tenants to move in with their pets with the Animal Humane Society.

Offer to Pay a Refundable Pet Deposit

Pets can damage rental properties, and property owners are responsible for ensuring tenants cover any damage caused by their pets once they move out. Your landlord is likely to ask for a pet deposit because it gives them a sense of security, so don’t hesitate to pay it. However, some, if not all of this money will come back your way because pet deposit is usually refundable.

Brush up Your Pet’s Resume

Of course, you want to move with your lovely pet wherever you go, but pets aren’t welcome in all rental houses. Convincing a landlord why you have to move in with your pet can sometimes be difficult. Thus, it’s crucial for tenants to pitch not only themselves but also their pets. Consider reaching out to former landlords, vets, and obedience trainers for recommendation letters to show your landlord. You can also draft your pet’s resume detailing its medical history, age, certification, and breed. You can also suggest to set up a pet interview if the landlord is still not convinced why they should allow you to move in with your pet.

Consult Your Vet

Your pet might need to undergo certain tests before you move with it across state borders. The USDA requires that every pet that will cross state lines to be vaccinated against rabies and obtain certification from a veterinarian. The same requirements apply to overseas travels but can differ based on the country you’re relocating to or from. You have to prove that your pet’s rabies is up-to-date and that it’s vaccinated against any contagious disease. Use the time you’re with the vet to discuss the potential pet stressors during the move and how you can address them. Of course, you want to be well-informed so that you can monitor your pet during the journey.

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