{"id":16050,"date":"2022-08-26T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/content-manager\/?p=16050"},"modified":"2023-07-22T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T15:36:27","slug":"pet-friendly-vs-pets-allowed-apartments-and-how-to-get-your-security-deposit-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/pet-friendly-vs-pets-allowed-apartments-and-how-to-get-your-security-deposit-back\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cPet Friendly\u201d vs “Pets Allowed” Apartments Plus How to Get Your Security Deposit Back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Looking for an apartment in today\u2019s unpredictable market is a monumental undertaking. Even more so when an animal companion is along for the ride. When looking for apartments that accommodate pets, the terms \u201cPets Allowed\u201d and \u201cPet Friendly\u201d often feel like they are being used interchangeably. In reality, there is a very big difference between the two terms, and knowledge is your friend in this endeavor. Even upon finding an apartment that seems ready to welcome you and your furry family with open arms, any number of obstacles and hidden hurdles may present themselves to even the best-equipped apartment seeker. Below is an exploration of some of the most common questions that arise around pet friendly and pets allowed apartments, along with tips to avoid some common pitfalls for pet-owning apartment seekers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The simple answer is no. \u201cPet friendly\u201d and \u201cPets allowed\u201d mean two very different things. Let\u2019s first keep in mind that either of these terms appearing on an apartment search does not automatically mean the property will welcome your pet, only that management is open to pets and allows them in varying degrees. This differs per property owner and often stems from their calculations on potential damages caused by particular breeds and animal species. The difference between \u201callowed\u201d and \u201cfriendly\u201d is largely legal and is a way for potential tenants to differentiate between properties that are simply open to allowing pets to cohabitate with their owners and \u201cfriendly\u201d properties that also provide resources to those owners: often included in the cost of the rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the possible resources included in a pet friendly apartment may include pet daycare,\u00a0spaces for activities, waste stations, and fountains and baths for animals, although each property is different. Be sure to do a thorough search of the pet amenities included when apartment searching, and never be afraid to ask to tour them during a walk-through or open house. Apartments that are \u201cPets Allowed\u201d will likely have stricter rules and regulations around how your animals are allowed to conduct themselves in public spaces, as well as potentially higher fines for pet-related damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can expect a lot of questions from your landlord, especially if you are planning on bringing a dog. It\u2019s important to be honest when answering these queries because legal action can be taken against you if it\u2019s discovered you purposefully misrepresented the type or number of pets you planned on bringing with you into the space. Some questions you can expect include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also be ready for any past complaints made against your animals to possibly appear in a background search. These are routine for landlords when accepting new tenants. You may have to present your animal for approval if you\u2019re applying to a location with any type of renters association or board.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to animals allowed in pet friendly residences, low-maintenance is the word that should be on the front of your mind. Low-maintenance animals are those that are unlikely to cause harm to property and unlikely to bother other tenants. Examples of low-maintenance pets include fish, guinea pigs, cats, birds, turtles, and hamsters. Dogs, however, are where things tend to get complicated, as oftentimes, property owners can have subjective opinions on what constitutes a low-maintenance dog. These distinctions are sometimes made along the lines of size and allergy potential, but most often, you\u2019ll find breed has more to do with it than anything. There are state-based restrictions on what kind of dog you can have in apartment residences alongside other pets and tenants. While it varies, often-banned dog breeds<\/a> include Pit-bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Wolf Dogs, Canary Mastiffs, and Doberman Pinschers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While a \u201cno pets” designation may sound discouraging, it\u2019s not always a complete dead-end in pet ownership. These locations may, on occasion, make exceptions for supporting animals and pets who serve a medical purpose. This can sometimes be negotiated with a landlord, especially if the pet is simultaneously low-maintenance. On that note – sometimes pets like fish, gerbils, turtles, and lizards can skirt these restrictions altogether with a proper appeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a fabled \u201c3-month rule\u201d that posits that it becomes illegal to force the tenant to remove a pet if a tenant can keep a disallowed pet on the property for three months or more without the landlord\u2019s removal of the animal. There is some truth to this, but with a load of nuance to tamper any would-be animal smugglers. Several specific legal stipulations and conditions must be met for this loophole to be potentially exploited. Even then, you\u2019d likely have to hire representation to help litigate the case with your landlord, as there are steps they would likely take to combat this. It\u2019s wisest to be straightforward and honest with the property owner about the intent to bring an animal into the space, there\u2019s always a chance an exception will be made.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you got the apartment! Great! How do we ensure you keep your security deposit at the end of your stay? Given that your pet may be prone to running amok as animals do. Below you\u2019ll find some excellent tips for pet-proofing your apartment and ensuring you can pocket that cash for your next trip to Pet-Co.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Searching for an apartment with a pet can be daunting, but it is a surmountable task. Hopefully, this serves as a quick crash course to equip you to find the location that serves your needs the best. Know that each situation is different, and there are no guarantees either way rather or not your particular pet will be allowed. It\u2019s always good to be honest and straightforward when searching 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 anywhere you and your furry family decide to set up camp next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Looking for an apartment in today\u2019s unpredictable market is a monumental undertaking. Even more so when an animal companion is along for the ride. When looking for apartments that accommodate pets, the terms \u201cPets Allowed\u201d and \u201cPet Friendly\u201d often feel like they are being used interchangeably. In reality, there is a very big difference between […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16052,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[150],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16050","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-apartment-hunting"},"yoast_head":"\nWhat if my building says \u201cNo Pets\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How can I pet-proof my apartment and keep my security deposit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n