“Pet Friendly” vs “Pets Allowed” Apartments Plus How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

Finding an apartment in today’s unpredictable market is a monumental undertaking. Especially when a pet is in the game. When searching for pet-friendly apartments, the terms “pets allowed” and “pets accepted” often seem like they’re used interchangeably. In reality, there is a very big difference between the two terms, and knowledge is your friend in this business. Even after finding an apartment that seems ready to welcome you and your four-legged family with open arms, a number of obstacles and hidden obstacles can present themselves to even the best-equipped apartment seeker. Below is an exploration of some of the most common questions that arise regarding pet-friendly and pet-friendly apartments, along with tips for avoiding some common pitfalls for apartment seekers with pets.

Is ‘pets allowed’ the same as ‘pets allowed’

The simple answer is no. “Pet Friendly” and “Pet Friendly” mean two very different things. First let’s keep in mind that either of these terms appearing on an apartment search does not automatically mean that the property will welcome your pet, only that the management is pet friendly. and allows them to varying degrees. This differs depending on the owner and often stems from their calculations of the potential damage caused by particular breeds and species of animals. The difference between “allowed” and “friendly” is largely legal and allows potential tenants to differentiate between properties that are simply open to allowing pets to cohabit with their owners and “friendly” properties that provide also resources to these owners: often included in the price of the rent.

Some of the possible resources included in a pet-friendly apartment may include pet daycare, activity spaces, waste stations, and pet fountains and baths, although every property is different. Be sure to research the included pet amenities thoroughly when looking for an apartment, and never be afraid to ask to see them on a tour or open house. Apartments that are “Pet Allowed” will likely have stricter rules and regulations on how your pets are allowed to behave in public areas, as well as potentially higher fines for pet-related damages. .

What can I expect when applying for an apartment with a pet?

You can expect a lot of questions from your owner, especially if you plan to bring a dog. It is important to be honest when answering these questions, as legal action may be taken against you if it is discovered that you have deliberately misrepresented the type or number of animals you planned to bring with you in the space. Some questions you can expect include:

What type of pet?
How long have you owned it?
Does he get along with other animals?
Does he behave well when left to his own devices?
How often will you be home?
Medical issues?
Does he have a history of violence?

You should also be prepared for any past complaints against your pets to eventually show up in a background search. These are common for landlords when accepting new tenants. You may need to present your pet for approval if you are applying for a location with any type of tenant association or council.

What kind of animals can I have in an apartment?

When it comes to animals allowed in pet-friendly residences, low maintenance is the word that should be in mind. Low-maintenance animals are those that are unlikely to cause property damage and unlikely to disturb other tenants. Examples of low maintenance pets include fish, guinea pigs, cats, birds, turtles and hamsters. Dogs, however, are where things tend to get tricky, as oftentimes owners can have subjective opinions about what constitutes a low-maintenance dog. These distinctions are sometimes made based on size and allergic potential, but more often than not you’ll find that breed has more to do with this than anything else. There are state restrictions on the type of dog you can have in apartment residences alongside other pets and tenants. Although it varies, dog breeds often banned include Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Wolfdogs, Canary Mastiffs, and Doberman Pinschers.

What happens if my building says “No Pets”

While a “pet-free” designation may seem daunting, it’s not always a complete dead end in pet ownership. These locations may, on occasion, make exceptions to support animals and pets that are used for medical purposes. This can sometimes be negotiated with an owner, especially if the animal is low maintenance. On that note, pets like fish, gerbils, turtles, and lizards can sometimes circumvent these restrictions with appropriate lure.

There is a legendary “3 month rule” which states that it becomes illegal to force the tenant to remove a pet if a tenant can keep an unauthorized pet on the property for three months or more without the landlord does not remove the animal. There’s some truth to that, but with plenty of nuance to tamper with any would-be animal smugglers. Several specific legal stipulations and conditions must be met for this flaw to be potentially exploited. Even then, you will likely need to hire a representative to help you argue the case with your landlord, as there are steps they would likely take to combat this. It is wiser to be upfront and honest with the owner about the intention of bringing an animal into space, there is always a chance that an exception will be made.

How can I protect my apartment with pets and keep my security deposit?

So you have the apartment! Great! How do you make sure you keep your deposit at the end of your stay? Since your pet may be prone to running amok like animals do. Below are some great tips for pet-proofing your apartment and making sure you can pocket that cash for your next trip to Pet-Co.

Keep animals in specific areas of your apartment. Keeping your pets in mostly tiled or finished spaces and away from carpets and materials that can be stained helps with unavoidable cleanups.
Although it may be tempting to allow your pet to roam freely in your space, pet boundaries are an important tool to prevent your pet from being harmed. There are several all-natural repellents and home remedies that can discourage your pet from wandering into areas they shouldn’t be and lead them away from vulnerable areas.
It is prudent to keep animals (especially cats) away from the kitchen and food preparation areas, as well as to store food high up, away from prying paws. It can also help steer your pet away from foods that would make them sick and cause unfortunate messes.
Make sure your pets have enough toys to occupy them, and invest in scratching posts and other diversions to keep pets from pawing or eating furniture. Understimulated animals are more likely to cause property damage out of boredom or distress.
For safety reasons, it is suggested to glue or insulate the cords and wires. Here is another place where this pet repellent spray will come in very handy. Besides protecting your expensive electronics, it can save your curious little buddy from a shocking conclusion.
Toilets and sinks should also be protected from appendages and lapping tabs with safety limits or stops. In 2020, in the city of Kingston-upon-Hull in England, a cat that walked out on its own caused tens of thousands of dollars in water damage when it turned on a tap and flooded several floors of an apartment. . Don’t worry, luckily the cat wasn’t hurt.
An extra tip if you have both a cat and a dog: keep your dog as far away from the cat litter box as possible, as it is likely to dig for gold, which will leave you with a mess and dreads. possible material damage.

Finding an apartment with a pet can be daunting, but it’s a surmountable task. Hopefully, this will serve as a quick crash course in finding the location that best suits your needs. Please be aware that every situation is different and there is no guarantee that your pet will be allowed or not. It’s always good to be honest and direct when looking for an apartment with a pet. With these tools and an understanding of your legal rights in your jurisdiction, you should be able to find affordable pet-friendly housing wherever you and your furry family decide to settle next.