Finding the ideal house to rent consists of taking into consideration all important factors. The neighborhood, the price, and the size are just a few factors to keep in mind. When completing your search, be sure to create a list of must-haves in order of priority.
If “pet friendly houses only” is one of those must-haves, then you’ll need to begin your house search sooner than later. Not only is it difficult to find the ideal house to rent in general, but when you narrow down your search to pet-friendly rentals only, the difficulty level rises.
Although finding the right house may come with a few challenges, none are undefeatable. With the help of this guide below, you can discover a few tips and tricks to help you find a pet-friendly house to rent in no time. Continue reading to find out more!
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Do Some Online Research
When starting your search, be sure to begin with some online research. Look up “pet-friendly rentals” in the location you want to be in. You should get a few different options that come up.
You can then take this list of pet friendly rentals and start visiting them or contacting the landlords one-by-one. Do this until you find the one that feels like the best fit for you and your pet. Many online rental finder tools and apps allow you to search for only pet-friendly houses as well, making the search much easier for you.
Visit With Private Landlords
If you find a place you love, but there’s no clear rule about pets or it’s stated that pets aren’t allowed, then you might not have much luck talking them into letting your pet stay. Rentals managed by large companies have strict rules they must follow and generally can’t budge.
If you find a rental owned by a private owner, then you might have more luck. Private owners are able to make their own decisions about the policies and rules regarding their properties. With a private owner, you’ll have more luck talking them into allowing your pet to stay.
Speak With Your Therapist
Did you know that service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals must be allowed in rentals no matter what the pet policies are? If you have legal paperwork stating that your pet is, in fact, one of these registered service animals, then your landlord must allow you to keep your pet in the house with you.
You’ll want to ensure you get this done before making the move, however, so speak with your therapist as soon as possible about getting the process started. If you see a therapist, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction and have your animal trained properly depending on the type of service or support you need.
Keep in mind that training your pet is a process as well, so you want to get started immediately.
Show a Good Pet Record
If you’ve lived in other rentals with your pet in the past, then you have the perfect opportunity to show a good pet record for them. Ask your past landlord to provide you with a letter of recommendation regarding your pet.
If your pet has had some sort of training not related to becoming a service animal, then contact the training facility and ask them to provide you with a copy of their certificate for completing the course. Come up with as many letters, recommendations, and other documents you can to prove your pet won’t be a problem.
Prepare to Pay a Pet Deposit
Living in a rental with a pet often means having to pay a pet deposit. If your pet is a registered service animal, then you don’t need to pay a deposit to have them there. Otherwise, prepare to pay some sort of deposit.
Although it might not be ideal to have to pay a large deposit upfront or pay more in rent each month, this scenario is much better than not being able to keep your pet with you. Start setting some money aside now to have it when it comes time to make the deposit.
Research common pet deposit fees in your area to give you a good idea of what to expect.
Know Your Rights
Knowing your rights is one of the best ways to get what you want. If the lease doesn’t state anything about pets on it, then the local law must be followed. Do your research and know what the local law is.
If you’ve lived there with your pet for a certain amount of months, are they then allowed by law? Know all your tenant rights and then prepare to use them if needed.
Keep Location in Mind
The last thing you should have in mind when embarking on your pet-friendly rental search is the location. If you’re moving yourself and your pet into a new house, then make sure it’s located in a neighborhood that’s ideal for your pet as well.
For example, if you own a dog, then be sure to find a place that has a big enough yard for running and playing in. You can also look into nature trails and dog parks in the area too.
It’s Time to Find Several Pet Friendly Houses
Why settle for only one or two options? Use the advice given in this guide above to help you find several pet friendly houses! With these tips handy, you’ll find the right house for you and your pet before you know it.
For more posts on pets and animals, real estate and home, and much more, keep checking back here on a regular basis.
