Renting With a Pet - Tips and Tricks

Your pet is part of your family, so a no-pets-allowed policy means you're not going to move in. If you are looking for a rental, it could be hard to find a place willing to take your pet as well, but there are some quality options out there if you know what to look for. When you do find the right place, do the right thing by treating your rental the same way you would treat it if you owned it.

Call the Owner Before You Apply

Before you apply to rent an apartment, home or condo, you should call to speak with the owner or property manager. Even if the listing claims no pets are allowed, there are sometimes exceptions that you can look into. For example, if your pet is a support animal , you might be able to have your doctor sign a document stating that the pet is necessary. This might be the case if you suffer from PTSD or are blind. Owners and property managers cannot discriminate against you for your medical issue, so don't get discouraged before calling and speaking with someone.

It's also possible you were given the wrong information. Perhaps you were told there were no pets allowed on the property, but the owner does allow them. Maybe the owner allows cats but not dogs, or dogs but not cats. In any case, it never hurts to call, and doing so before anything else could save you time and stress in the long run.

Call a Local Animal Shelter

Quite often, your local animal shelter will have a list of property owners and managers that allow pets. Getting a referral this way could help you find a place where your pet will be welcome, and you might find yourself a new cat or dog in the process.

Ask Before You Adopt a Pet

If you already live in a rental and you're considering adopting a new cat or dog, it would be best to ask your landlord if that would be OK. It's not worth the risk of getting kicked out and having nowhere to go because you adopted a cat. Speak with your landlord in the beginning so you can get a straight answer as to whether you can have a pet and what would happen if you did. The landlord might require a pet deposit or that the pet stays outside at all times. He or she might say that you can't have a pet at all or you will be asked to vacate the premises, and that would be handy to know beforehand as well.

If the property owner or manager informs you that you can't own a pet while living on the property, you could begin the process of finding a pet-friendly rental to move to. This would allow you to still adopt your pet but not have to be homeless because of it.

Train Your Dog or Cat

There are several property owners that will at least give you a chance with the pet. If it doesn't go well, you may be asked to get rid of the pet or move. One way to avoid this is to have your dog or cat trained. There are plenty of toys you can use in the training process, and dog treats are always helpful as well. It might also be effective to hire a professional pet trainer so you have more of a chance of keeping your pet.

Pay the Pet Deposit

If your landlord allows pets but requires a pet deposit, be respectful of the rules and pay the deposit instead of trying to smuggle the dog or cat into the rental. There's also the possibility that rent will be higher each month because of your pet, and that's just a way for the property owner to protect his or her own interest. As a pet lover, it's worth the extra $15 or $20 each month so you can have your furry family member live with you.

Care for Your Pet Responsibly

Slowly introduce your pet to the property so it can get used to its new surroundings. Sometimes cats and dogs will scratch furniture, walls and flooring when they are anxious or excited. As a responsible pet owner, you will need to prevent this from happening. A slow introduction and proper training will help your dog or cat stay calm so as not to destroy the property. If there's a curtain or a section of the floor where your dog has started to chew or scratch, you can use a product such as the Grannicks Bitter Apple Atomizer Dog Training Spray to keep it at bay.

You should also ensure you have all the proper equipment and supplies to responsibly care for your pet. For example, your cat will need a quality litter box so it doesn't mess up the floor in your rental. Your dog will need a proper bed so it doesn't cause the carpet to stink. You should also put up pet gates so your new furry family member doesn't get into rooms where it's not welcome.

The yard of your rental is equally as important, and you should never let your pet dig up the yard. Part of responsible animal parenting is playing with your pet while it is out in the yard. If your dog or cat starts to rip up the grass or other landscaping, take the initiative to replace it with quality grass or other plants.

Find That Perfect Pet-Friendly Rental

It could be a little difficult to find the perfect rental that is also pet-friendly, but it's definitely not impossible. Respect goes a long way, so if you're worried about what will happen to your furry family member when you move into a particular rental, have a respectful conversation with the property manager, purchase the pet products you need and go from there.