Even though there are so many local rental portals to choose from, tenants who would like to rent a home with a pet have just a few options. The offer is no better on social media platforms when trying to find a property that suits their needs. In this article, we try to give our readers some practical advice to make finding pet friendly apartments easier.
Honest communication is half the success
Don’t give up on honest communication just because you had some failed phone calls or got a mean response. It sends out a negative message if you do not indicate at the time of making an appointment that you would be moving in to the apartment with a pet, especially if it is a property where the possibility of keeping a pet was already excluded in the advertisement. Even if you are sympathetic to the owner when you meet him in person, he will not be happy if you only admit at the time of singing the contract that you would like to move in with 3 cats or a puppy.
We recommend you tell the owner at the time of makeing the first phone call that you would like to move in with a pet. Include his age, a detailed description, his usual housing conditions (goes to doggy school, sleeps in a room cage when you are not at home, lives in a terrarium, has an up-to-date medical history, etc.). If the owner is open to showing the property, take your pet with you so the landlord can make sure it is harmless.
Accept it if the owner refuses to allow a pet into the property. Unfortunately, there may be cases where a property is really, truly and permanently excluded from being moved in with a pet. We have to accept this fact. There will be some people who will not be persuaded in any way, but even in such cases you should try to leave the option open, e.g. ask if you can call them if you see the advertisement later on. The landlord might even change his mind by then.
Money talks, dog …
If you are in love with the apartment or house and you would like to rent it, it is advisable to offer the owner a deposit higher than two months’ rent, if your financial situation allows it of course. This will give you a chance of being chosen by the owner, even if someone who does not have a pet is applying for the same property.
It will definitely increase the trust of the landlord if the pet owner offers a deposit of 3 months’ rent, voluntarily. This financial gesture sends the message that you have a stable financial background and it also shows that you are confident that your pet will not damage the property.
Former landlord’s reference
It is good to provide references. It can help a lot with your credibility if you discuss with your previous landlord in advance whether you can provide his contact details so that he can provide a reference for you and your pet in the future.
If you are looking for a place with a pet as an employee, you can also prepare an employer’s certificate to prove your reliability.
Provision of legal safeguards in the contract
There are a number of extra obligations and safeguards that can be included in a tenancy agreement to help reassure the landlord. We will list some of these without being exhaustive:
- agreeing to pay a higher deposit than usual
- a photographic record of the condition of the property at the time of moving in (this will be useful when the property is returned, as even the slightest deterioration caused by a pet will be visible)
- the contract may also include that in the event of any damage or deterioration caused by the tenant or his/her pet, the costs of repair will be covered by the deposit. In this case, the tenant must supplement the deposit to the full price within 48 hours
- providing more than one opportunity per month for the landlord to check the condition of the apartment, in the presence of the tenant of course.
We hope we’ve been able to give you some practical and useful advice that can help you, pet owners, in finding the perfect home for you and your pet!