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Finding a pet-friendly apartment can be a challenging task for many renters. Even though 72% of renters have at least one pet, size and breed restrictions can make it difficult to find an accommodating rental property.
This is why it’s important to know how to pitch yourself and your pet to prospective landlords. Here’s how to create a pet resume and talk about your pet so you can find a great pet-friendly apartment that meets your needs.
Why Should You Create a Pet Resume?
A pet resume is the best way to inform a landlord of your animal and what they’re like. Not only is it a convenient way to showcase a summary of your pet’s best qualities, but it also lets you demonstrate your responsibility as a pet owner.
Your pet resume can also help you find rentals that are suited for your pet’s lifestyle. For example, if you know your pet is energetic, you’ll know to search for rentals near trails or with large parks nearby. Or, if your pet doesn’t do well with noise, you may look for a rental with a lower noise rating.
What to Include On a Pet Resume
Here’s what to include when you create a pet resume.
1. Basic Information
Pet resumes contain basic information such as their name, breed, gender, age, size, and weight. This is usually included at the top of the page to give a brief overview. The top of the page is a great place to include a photo of your pet as well, considering most landlords request photos when reviewing applications.
It is also important to mention if your pet is microchipped, which is a procedure that helps track your pet in case they run away.
2. An “About” Section
The “about” section of a pet resume is an area to include additional details about your pet, such as a brief biography, your history as their owner, and an overview of their personality and behavior. Here are some questions to ask as you write this section:
- What words would you use to describe your pet’s personality?
- How long have you owned them?
- How much experience does your pet have in rental properties?
- Is your pet calm around other people and animals?
- Does your pet react to noise?
3. Health
A dedicated section on your pet’s health, which lists any vaccines, medications, and other veterinary procedures, is another necessary section of your pet’s resume. This will show landlords that you’re up to date on vaccinations.
Consider the following questions for this section of your pet resume:
- How often does your pet visit the vet?
- What vaccines and shots has your pet received?
- Has your pet been spayed or neutered?
- Does your pet have any past or current health issues?
4. Training
Being able to show that your pet is trained can go a long way on a pet resume. In this section, list the training courses that your pet has completed, as well as additional details like their ability to respond to commands.
5. Grooming and Care Routine
A well-cared-for pet tends to behave better than one whose needs are ignored. Use your pet resume to show how you take care of your pet.
- How often do you walk your pet?
- How do you manage your pet’s shedding?
- How often is your pet bathed and groomed?
- What do you do with your pet when you’re away at work?
6. References
Finally, a list of references that can vouch for you and your pet is necessary for hesitant landlords to feel comfortable with the situation. This list can include your vet, previous or current trainers, and past landlords that are willing to serve as a recommendation.
How to Talk to Landlords About Your Pet
Though a pet resume can do a lot of the heavy lifting, it is best to maintain open and honest communication with a potential landlord regarding your pet. Here’s what you can do in addition to creating and sharing a pet resume with your landlord.
Be Aware of Landlord Hesitations
Often, landlords can be cautious about allowing pets in their rentals. While they can be more flexible with their guidelines and agreements compared to a property management company, they may also be wary of additional costs from things like property damage and liability.
When discussing your pet with your landlord, use your pet resume to assure them that your pet will be a good fit. For example, showing previous renting history can prove that your pet is used to living in rentals. Additionally, noting any pet-related coverage included in your renters insurance policy can address some worries about liability.
Educate Landlords on Your Pet’s Behavior
Sometimes even landlords of pet-friendly properties are hesitant to allow certain breeds due to stereotypes or unfair stigma. In addition to sharing your pet’s completed training courses and listing references who the landlord can contact, consider setting up a meet and greet with your prospective landlord.
An in-person meeting will give your prospective landlord to see your pet’s temperament for themselves and can help dispel any misconceptions they may have about the breed. If a meeting isn’t possible, you can send them videos of your pets as an alternative.
Highlight the Benefits of Renting to Pet Owners
Remember to mention that renting to pet owners has more long-term benefits than risks for landlords. For example, renting to pets can increase their pool of prospective tenants, and may result in greater rental income.
Plus, by using a detailed pet resume, you can set a standard the landlord can use for future tenants who also own pets.
Simplify your rental search even more with an Avail Renter Profile to avoid multiple application fees and credit checks.
Find Pet-Friendly Rentals On Realtor.com
A pet resume is an essential part of finding an accommodating apartment, but it’s only so helpful if you know where to look. Thankfully, several rental apps and websites make it easy to find just what you’re looking for.
On Realtor.com®, you can search for rentals in your desired area, then use custom filters to only show properties that welcome pets. As you address your pet’s needs, you can also consider amenities that you’d appreciate as well. Search for unit features like central air, or community amenities like parking, a gym, or a pool. Once you find a property that suits your needs, you can contact the landlord or property manager directly from the listing.
Visit Realtor.com® today to find your next pet-friendly rental.
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Pets are beloved companions but they don’t always follow house rules. Cats and dogs, the most common types of pets, often stain the carpets, scratch the floors, leave odors, and damage appliances.
An estimated 70% of US households own a pet, so it’s no wonder pet-friendly apartments — rentals that allow pets under certain restrictions — are very popular with tenants. But this leaves landlords wondering how to prepare their units for pets.
In this article, we discuss the differences between pet fees, pet rent, and pet deposits to help you determine which is best to require.
What Are Pet Fees?
A pet fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee you can charge tenants to allow pets on your property and help cover associated costs. This is typically a single payment tenants have to pay before moving into the pet-friendly rentals, similar to a move-in fee or administration fee.
Landlords typically charge an average of between $250 to $500 per pet for pet fees. However, you may choose to alter the price depending on the type of pet your tenant owns.
Pros of Pet Fees
Pet fees can be effective because you get upfront compensation for potential wear and tear or property damage. Another advantage is that pet fees are usually non-refundable, so you’ve got funds readily available to use towards cleaning fees or repairing damage caused by the pet.
Cons of Pet Fees
The amount you charge may not cover all the damage pets end up causing, so it may be best to have money on the side to cover the remaining portion or require the tenant to cover it. One alternative to charging a pet fee for your rental is to require renters insurance that includes pet liabilities.
Accidents happen! Use an online maintenance tool to take photos, find contractors, get status updates, and message tenants — and get repairs taken care of easily.
What Is Pet Rent?
Pet rent is a monthly fee for pets in addition to regular rent. It’s an increasingly popular option for pet-friendly apartments.
Pet rent is usually the least expensive option, so you can charge pet rent as long your tenant has pets in their unit. This allows you to cover wear and tear, like muddy carpets in the lobby, and handle more severe damage. Some landlords calculate pet rent as 1% or 2% of unit rent, or charge a flat rate based on market area, pet size, or their experience with pets on the property. Average pet rent tends to work out to approximately $10 to $60 per month.
Pros of Pet Rent
Pet rent is great because animals cause wear and tear that security deposits — and even pet deposits — may not fully cover. This option may be attractive to some pet-owning tenants because it’s a smaller cost spread over time.
Cons of Pet Rent
Pet rent is generally priced low, so if you only require pet rent, you may not be set up to repair potential damages. Landlords with fewer than 10 units should consider combining pet rent with a pet fee for better protection from large, unforeseen costs. Something else to consider is that monthly fees add up, and tenants may not want to pay on a long-term basis.
What Are Pet Deposits?
A pet deposit is a one-time, refundable fee that can be used to specifically address property damage and losses caused by pets. Like a standard security deposit, landlords can withhold some or all of a pet deposit to address pet-related damages. Examples include:
- Flea infestations
- Broken appliances
- Urine and feces stains
- Holes in the wall
- Scratches on floors and walls
An average pet deposit is usually between $100 and $600. It’s worth noting that pet deposits only cover pet-related damage, not normal wear and tear. You’ll need to check state and local laws to see if there are restrictions on pet deposits.
Pros of Pet Deposits
Pet deposits guarantee landlords compensation for serious pet damages. On the tenant side, a refundable fee is a great incentive to prevent pet damage. Also, tenants comparing pet-friendly rentals will likely pick the one with the refundable fee over the non-refundable fee, depending on the amount.
Cons of Pet Deposits
Mishandling a pet deposit can have legal repercussions, just like mishandling a security deposit. Furthermore, if you charge a pet deposit and a security deposit, you likely can’t mix funds from either bucket. For example, if your $300 pet deposit doesn’t cover all pet-related repairs, you probably won’t be able to use any security deposit funds to pay the rest.
What’s the Difference Between Pet Fees vs. Pet Rent vs. Pet Deposits?
To recap, here are the primary differences between the types of pet-related charges:
- A pet fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee you can collect before tenants move in
- Pet rent is a monthly fee added to the rent price to account for the pet living on the property.
- A pet deposit is a one-time, refundable fee that covers pet-related property damage and serves similarly to a traditional security deposit.
Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so you may wish to use multiple to protect your property in different ways. Be sure to review your local landlord-tenant laws or consult with a legal expert to determine your options and avoid violations.
To simplify collecting these fees, Avail offers online rent collection to make the process smooth and seamless. Collect rent and any additional pet fees that you decide to include and keep track of your finances through the Rental Property Accounting dashboard.
Is it Legal to Charge Pet Fees?
Charging a pet-related fee may seem like an easy solution for a tenant with a pet, but it may not be legal, depending on your state’s landlord-tenant laws or your city’s local ordinances.
Furthermore, it’s against the law to charge any kind of pet fee for service animals or emotional support animals, per the Fair Housing Law.
Collect Pet Fees With Avail
Once you’re ready to allow pets at your rental, you can easily collect any pet-related charges, with an online rent collection app like Avail. Add a one-time fee or a deposit as part of the signing fee once you’ve selected your tenant, or collect monthly pet rent charges along with the usual rent. Your charges will be kept organized based on property, and you can easily see the amount your tenant has paid and when from the landlord dashboard.
Create an account or log in today to get started.
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Since Americans own an estimated 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats, it’s important for landlords and tenants to know how to get rid of pet odors in their rental units. Renting to tenants with pets can be lucrative, but getting rid of pet odors is critical for any landlord looking for a new tenant.
Not sure how to eliminate pet odor from your rental? Here’s where to start:
Clean Regularly with Pet Odor Eliminators
This may seem obvious, but we’ll say it anyway. If the rental property has carpeting, tenants with pets should vacuum their rental regularly, since carpeting is more likely to absorb pet odors than hardwood floors. Good Housekeeping recommends sprinkling baking soda all over the carpet before vacuuming to help absorb odor.
Don’t know how to get rid of dog smell? Realtor.com advises pet owners to vacuum dog beds once a week and wash dog beds every other week. Cat owners should clean out litter boxes at least twice per week, if not more frequently, and replace the kitty litter or sprinkle baking soda over it to reduce odor.
What You’ll Need: Baking Soda and a Vacuum
Deep Clean Periodically
Go beyond vacuuming your carpet or using a Swiffer on your hardwood floor. HomeAdvisor recommends thoroughly scrubbing and mopping hard surfaces with a vinegar or baking soda solution if possible. Vinegar is the pet odor eliminator, and it deters cats from peeing where it’s been placed.
If the rental has carpeting, call a professional carpet cleaning team that uses a hot water extraction method and a truck-mounted carpet cleaning unit, because it will deliver a better clean. Ideally, landlords should be deep cleaning in between tenants.
What You’ll Need: Vinegar or Baking Soda
Clean the Upholstery
It’s not just the floors you have to worry about when you are a pet owner or a landlord who rents to pet owners — removing and washing or dry-cleaning cushion covers to get rid of pet urine smells is just as important.
Good Housekeeping recommends that cat owners try an enzyme-based pet odor remover that can be poured on fabrics if cat urine has soaked into them. Once you’ve let it set in, soak and blot the fabric. If this doesn’t work, they recommend hiring a dry cleaner who specializes in fire or smoke damage who can use an ozone machine to deodorize the fabric.
What You’ll Need: Enzyme-Based Pet Odor Remover
Clean the Walls
If you still smell pet odor and you’re not sure where it’s coming from, check your walls — especially those near your cat’s litter box. You can use a combination of water and vinegar to eliminate the smell or repaint the walls altogether. If you decide to give the walls a fresh coat of paint, use a primer that will lock in or eliminate the odor before applying paint to the walls.
What You’ll Need: Water and Vinegar or Primer and Paint
If All Else Fails, Refresh the Flooring
If the pet order you’re trying to remove won’t go away, it’s probably time to replace the carpeting or the flooring within the unit. According to Home Advisor, installing new hardwood floors could cost between $2,501– $6,733, while new carpeting could cost between $762–$2,522 to install.
What You’ll Need: New Floors or Carpeting
Maintaining a Pet-Friendly Pad
If you’re planning to rent to pet owners, it’s worth noting that you can protect yourself by charging pet rent fees and requiring pet owners to carry pet insurance. With Avail, landlords can indicate to renters whether your unit is pet-friendly or not. That way, you can find (or turn away) renters with furry friends.
For tenants using Avail, check out the online maintenance ticket feature, which will allow you to let your landlord know if your apartment needs repairs or deep cleaning thanks to your canine or cat companions. Note that this kind of maintenance will often come out of your pet deposit or you’ll be responsible for covering the cost.
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If you’re wondering how to find tenants who are responsible and take great care of your property, look no further than pet owners. Many landlords balk at the notion of letting pets in their units because of the potential for increased damage that animals bring. But the reality is that letting Fluffy and Fido live in your building will likely improve your cash flow and help you attract better renters.
Welcoming Pets Means You Can Charge Pet Fees
It’s perfectly acceptable to charge pet rent for tenants who bring pets into your building. You can charge either a yearly fee (typical ranges are $200 to $500) or a monthly rent add-on (typical ranges are $10 to $50).
Pet Owners Tend To Be More Responsible
One Avail landlord says, “My tenants with pets are generally more responsible, more qualified and stay longer.” It makes sense: tenants who have to care for another living creature have responsibility built into their everyday lives.
More Than Two-Thirds of Americans Own Pets
Fully 68% of American households have pets, which means if you don’t allow pets in your unit, you’re limiting your pool of tenants to just 32% of households. What’s more, only 55% of landlords currently allow pets in their units. By saying yes to pets, you can stand out among the responsible tenants looking for their next home.
As with everything, though, there are risks associated with allowing pets in your units. Some renters insurance policies, for example, won’t offer coverage if the policyholder has certain types of dog breeds. If you do decide to allow pets, you may want to consult with your insurance provider to see whether your policy has any exclusions for specific pet types.
In this Guide You Can Also Find
- Chapter 1: The Importance of Maintaining Your Rental Property
- Chapter 2: Advertise Your Rental Property The Right Way
- Chapter 3: Screening for Good Tenants: Lease Renewal Factors
- Chapter 4: Communication With Your Tenants is Key
- Chapter 6: Update Your Rental Property Strategically
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Avail co-founder Laurence Jankelow discusses new legislation in New York that bans the declawing of cats, what it could mean for his own rental properties, and how it might affect landlords in New York and rentals around the country.
On Monday, New York passed a law banning the declawing of cats. I don’t understand enough about cats and the procedure to weigh in on whether it’s a humane practice or not. Let’s just assume it isn’t humane — I wouldn’t want someone pulling off all my fingernails.
Instead, as a landlord, my initial reaction was … should I continue to allow cats in my rentals given the likely increase in damage they may cause? The economics of the law is what caught my attention, so here are some of my main concerns and thoughts on the new legislation and what it could mean for landlords.
Why Do People Declaw Cats?
The short answer is to prevent scratching. Declawing has been a standard practice among many indoor-cat owners for decades and still is, typically to stop cats from scratching their owners and damaging furniture. Some vets recommend that owners with compromised immune systems declaw their cats, too — usually to prevent health complications that can come from being scratched by a cat.
According to American Veterinarian, around 25% of cats in North America are declawed, and about 70% of vets in North America perform the procedure. However, declawing has become highly controversial; Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver were among the first cities to ban the practice completely, with the California cities banning it in 2010 and Denver in 2017.
And it seems like the controversy is expanding, with New York state being the first state to completely ban the procedure. The new state-wide legislation brings about potential complications for landlords and their tenants.
Will New York Landlords Continue to Allow Cats?
The question stems from the likelihood of increased damage that a cat with claws can do. Last year, I installed new cabinets and flooring in several of my units. I expect those enhancements to have a decades-long useful life. And I also imagine that a cat can do a lot of damage, ultimately reducing the life of my investment.
I wasn’t sure if I was alone in this thinking, so our team reached out to landlords across the U.S. to find out their thoughts on New York’s declawing legislation.
Not too surprisingly, feedback varied. But most of the landlords we spoke with already had cat (and pet) policies and would keep them in place, even in the face of new laws.
Patrick Britton, who owns 10 units in Chicago, said he allows cats in his rental units now and will continue to do so.
“I think declawing is a viciously cruel thing to do, and I would never insist on an owner doing that to their pet,” Britton said. “So quite frankly, I’m for the New York law, but I always charge extra for pet owners and get a larger damage deposit,” he added.
On the other hand, some landlords who already don’t allow cats won’t be more inclined to do so if legislation like this passed in their home state.
“I don’t allow any pets, cats especially,” said Darin Collins, who owns 2 units in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. “But it’s mostly because of the mess they leave.”
Will Pet Fees and Deposits Increase?
Like a lot of the landlords we spoke with, I’m not entirely ready to stop allowing cats. Pets are part of the family. But I have to weigh that against the reduced lifespan of my investment. So to me, that means likely increasing the monthly pet fees I charge, or adding more to the non-refundable pet deposit I require.
Aaron Marshall, a property manager and landlord in Salt Lake City, said about half of his owners don’t allow cats, and he personally never allows cats in the rental properties he owns. Claws aren’t the only issue Marshall has with cats — it’s also the mess that cats are notorious for leaving behind.
“We charge additional pet rent and an increase in rent for animals,” Marshall said.
But before you hike up fees and deposits for cats in your rental, be sure to research your state laws. In some states (like California), non-refundable pet and security deposits are illegal. And if you’re planning on increasing the security deposit, know your legal limits — many states have strict guidelines on how much you can charge your tenants.
Alternatives to Declawing Cats
The penalty for declawing your cat in New York is $1,000. You could take the risk and still get the procedure done, factoring in the $1,000 as part of the cost of the procedure. I don’t personally think this is a good plan, and isn’t really an alternative, since it continues to make cat ownership expensive.
So are there ways to continue having a cat without declawing them, all while avoiding increased pet fees and deposits?
I sure hope so. Here are some of the ideas that I would entertain as a landlord to mitigate this issue:
Cat Training
Some cat owners are able to train their cats to stop them from scratching things they shouldn’t be. Providing the cat with alternative objects to scratch can keep them away from the couch and other furniture, and reinforcing good behavior can work, too.
Scratch Posts
Scratching posts are a cat owner’s best friend. Because the material on a scratching post helps the cat remove the outer layer of their nails and stretch out their whole bodies, your cat will grow accustomed to using the post. Just make sure you buy one that’s durable, sturdy, high enough, and provides both horizontal and vertical surfaces for the cat to scratch. Get a few, and put them in the rooms your cat spends time in.
Nail Caps for Cats
Nail caps are an alternative to declawing and prevent your cat from scratching your belongings or home interior. Developed by a vet, the nail caps are glued on over the cat’s nails with a safe adhesive and are blunt enough to stop scratch marks. They usually last about four to six weeks, but they should only be used on indoor cats.
Deterrents
Other deterrents, like toys, sprays, and materials to cover your cat’s favorite scratching spots can help break scratching habits. Try covering targeted parts of the couch with double-sided tape or aluminum foil to deter the cat from scratching it, or spray objects in your home with a citrus-scented spray — cats don’t like citrus odors.
Get a Dog
This is a half-joke that I’m sure will fuel the dog versus cat debate. I look forward to your comments.
Tell Us What You Think
It will be interesting to see how things unfold in New York and across the U.S. as landlords and tenants have to change their behaviors. Will it lead to fewer places for cats? Or will it lead to increased pet fees? Time will tell. Leave a comment below with what you’re planning on doing with your rentals when and if this law comes to your state. And if you’re a tenant, talk to us about your cat and how it has fared with its full claws.
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Are you a dog person or a cat person? Maybe you prefer turtles or fish instead. If you are a landlord looking for a new tenant, chances are some of the renters interested in your property will own a pet. Americans own an estimated 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats —about 44% of U.S. households own a dog and 35% have a cat according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Having a furry friend in your rental property might be comforting for the tenants, but it can also have a significant impact on the property. Allowing pets into your rental can be a great way to attract tenants as only 55% of landlords let tenants bring pets, Avail found in its landlord survey. Allowing pets in apartments is an overlooked opportunity for landlords to earn more money.
“I have 15 rentals and am trying to have pets in every one. I currently have 8 units with tenants paying pet rent,” one landlord told Avail. “By having pets, I have increased my gross rental income by 5%, which equates to an extra $325 per month, or $3,900 per year.”
Before allowing pets in your rental, consider the following tips on how to pet-proof your rental property:
Install Pet-Friendly Floors
You want to make sure that your flooring is suited for cats and dogs. Consider adding flooring that will withstand the scratching, feces, urine, and other damage that can come with pets. As Emily Fazio points out for HGTV, there are a variety of flooring options that will be suitable for pets, such as hardwood floors, laminate floors, porcelain tiles, and high-performance carpeting. The goal is to make it easier for your renters to clean and maintain the floors while they are there.
Add Pet-Friendly Finishings in Your Unit
Beyond your floors, which are a significant part of pet-proofing, landlords can take other steps to protect their unit from pet damage. As Leanne Potts writes for DIY Network, avoid black finish paint because it’s too hard to clean. Instead, go for the semigloss paint. She also suggests using a satin or eggshell finish for elegant, easy to clean paint.
Add a Pet Policy to the Lease Agreement
Draft a pet policy addendum for your lease and have tenants sign it so that they understand your rules for having pets. With Avail, you can customize your lease to include a pet policy or add pet-related clauses. For example, you can tell tenants with pets to:
- Put a leash on their pets while outside in the front yard and property sidewalks
- Place litter boxes on top of a plastic floor covering
- Keep an ID tag at all times
- Dispose of their pet’s waste immediately in an outdoor trash bin
- Carry pet insurance coverage
Charge Additional Fees for Pets
For landlords who are concerned about the cost of maintaining a rental property with pets, it’s standard practice to charge pet owners an additional rental fee. On top of that, landlords can also charge a pet security deposit and decide whether that deposit is refundable or nonrefundable. Doing so helps to safeguard against costs for repairing extensive pet damage.
Limit Pets in Apartments
Given that many landlords allow pets in apartments, you could talk to other landlords about what the pros and cons of tenants with animals are. Learning from them and thinking about what pets you’re comfortable with permitting will help you decide what limits you want to impose on pets. If certain animals make you nervous, for example, you can impose weight limits and restrict the species you allow in your unit. You could also ask tenants how much the dog barks, which could determine how much pets could disturb the other tenants. The best way to assess a tenant’s pets? A pet interview.
Simplify Allowing Pets in Rentals
Finding tenants with pets doesn’t have to be hard. With Avail, landlords can screen tenants to see if they have pets and meet other qualifications. Once you use our site to advertise your rental, Avail can help you find renters with and without pets as well as those who can pass a background check. Once you find your dream tenant, you can send a lease agreement with your customized pet policy, collect rent payments, and track repairs on whatever the pets damage.
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Landlords are often hesitant to rent to tenants with pets. Whether it’s potential legal bills for dog bites, noise complaints, allergies, or odors, there’s no shortage of reasons for landlords to be wary. So what can you do as a pet owner looking for their next rental?
In this article, we explain what renters can do to easily find a rental where you and your pet both feel welcome.
How to Prepare to Rent With a Pet
Before you begin searching for rental properties, there are several steps you can take to give you and your pet an advantage during your upcoming search.
1. Create a Pet Resume
To convince a new landlord that your pet is well-behaved and won’t damage the property, you can create a pet resume.
This document contains basic information about your pet like species, breed, age, size, and weight. You can also include details like your pet’s health and vaccination status, and behavioral training documentation.
Additionally, you can add your rental history with references that vouch for your pet’s behavior. These can be previous landlords, roommates, trainers, or family who lived with your pet.
2. Plan for Additional Charges
It’s common for landlords to collect pet fees, pet rent, or a pet deposit when renting to pet owners. These charges often cover pet-related expenses such as property damage or extra cleaning after you’ve moved out.
If a new landlord is on the fence about accepting your application, offering to pay a pet deposit may be enough to convince them. Just remember to have them include the details of any additional fee in the lease before you sign.
3. Get Renters Insurance With Pet Coverage
Another way to improve your chances with a future landlord is by including pet coverage in your renters insurance policy. Ideally, you’ll have coverage if your pet damages someone else’s property, or causes injury to another person or pet.
It’s common for landlords to require renters insurance in general, so signing up for a plan early can save you time during your search.
4. Review Local Laws
It’s helpful to understand any landlord-tenant laws in your state that apply to pets. For example, some states have limits to what a landlord can charge in pet fees. Reviewing your state’s mandates may prepare you for what to expect during your apartment search.
How to Find Pet-Friendly Rentals
When you kick off your search for your next home, prioritize searching for pet-friendly rentals. Here are some of the best ways to find these types of properties.
1. Search Online
Use filters on rental sites to only see pet-friendly properties. Include keywords like “pet-friendly” or “dog-friendly” in your search, so you can pinpoint the right rental listings for you and your pet.
Most rental listing sites, like Realtor.com®, have filter options that can help you narrow down your search. Renters can filter by price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and desired move-in date in addition to your pet-friendly requirement.
Additional information about the property and neighborhood, like a neighborhood noise level and a map of the surrounding area, can help you determine if the option is right for your pet. Once you’ve found a rental that interests you, you can contact the owner directly from the listing.
2. Connect With Other Pet Owners
Other pet owners who rent their homes may be able to help during your search. Connect with friends and family members to learn how they found their current home, what information the landlord required, and any additional tips worth sharing.
3. Contact Local Shelters
Local shelters, such as the Humane Society, city pet control, or no-kill animal groups, will often provide advice and available rentals. The pet-friendly community tends to know the other members of the pet-friendly community, as well as landlords in the area that are accepting and welcoming of pets.
4. Check Out the Local Pet-Friendly Parks
You can also connect with like-minded people, such as a meetup group. You can meet new friends for you and your pet who may know about great potential listings — the building may even offer a referral bonus in it for both parties. Win-win.
What Not to Do in Your Pet-Friendly Apartment Search
While there are definitely steps that you can take to make your apartment search easy, there are also things you shouldn’t do.
1. Don’t Hide Your Pet
Trying to hide a pet in a rental with a “no pets” policy would be considered a violation of the lease terms, and could be used as grounds for eviction as a result. This may have costly consequences like legal fees and financial penalties, plus you’ll have to deal with an eviction on your rental record.
2. Don’t Procrastinate
Most renters typically set aside at least 30 days for their search. As with any move, the more specifications you have, the longer it takes to find the right place. If you plan on moving with a pet, allow at least six weeks for your search. It also helps to have an understanding of how “hot” the market is. If there are fewer available rentals, know that those units will go quickly, so be ready.
3. Don’t Panic
If you are residing in a building that is now taking a hard stance on pets, try not to sound the alarm just yet. Large real estate buildings are typically stringent and have a review process. Having a responsible tenant is worth a lot to a building owner, so be prepared to state your case.
Are Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals Considered Pets?
Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) are not considered pets, thus regulated differently.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are animals individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate their handler’s disability. Because they aren’t pets, they aren’t subject to pet fees. However, landlords may still factor a service animal into the security deposit they charge.
ESAs are animals that provide disability-relieving emotional support to an individual. Disabled renters with ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act, and, in most cases, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for a renter with an ESA, even if they have a “no pets” policy.
Streamline Your Search With an Avail Renter Profile
Searching for a pet-friendly apartment doesn’t have to be challenging. Just like a pet resume can be useful for your process, an Avail Renter Profile can also help you save time and money. With a Renter Profile, you can include all the relevant information normally requested through rental applications, including screening report results. This lets you avoid application fees and excessive credit checks.
Controlling who can view your information is easy with a Renter Profile. Share your profile with any landlord, and revoke access once your application has been processed. Log in or create an account today to get started.
And don’t forget to visit Realtor.com® to find pet-friendly rentals in your area.
The post Everything You Need to Know About Renting With a Pet appeared first on Avail.
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Can you deny a tenant who has a service animal? How about a tenant with an emotional support animal? We’ve included what landlords can and can’t ask about these animals, so you run your rental business properly. First, let’s distinguish between service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals:
- Service Animals: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service dogs as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animals that are trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.
- Emotional Support Animals: An emotional support animal (ESA) is a pet that provides disability-relieving emotional support to an individual, but is not necessarily trained to do so. Emotional support animals are not required to undergo specialized training and their primary role is to provide their disabled owners with emotional comfort.
- Therapy Animals: A therapy animal is a pet that has been trained to interact with many people (other than its handler) to make those people feel better.
In this article, we share everything landlords should know about an emotional support animal and renting.
Can an Apartment Deny an Emotional Support Animal?
The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) bans discrimination in housing practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. The Act prohibits housing providers from discriminating against tenants because of their disability or the disability of anyone associated with them and from treating persons with disabilities less favorably than others because of the disability. The FHA requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations give tenants equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.
As it applies to service animals for disabled residents, FHA states any person with a mental or physical disability cannot be turned away from housing with their service animal or emotional support animal. This includes buildings and apartments that normally do not allow pets. Landlords and apartment managers are required to make a “reasonable accommodation” for both service and emotional support animals.
How Is Disability Defined?
According to the ADA, an individual with a disability is any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as seeing, reading, or walking), a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
Physical or mental impairment may include, but is not limited to conditions such as:
- Visual or hearing impairment
- Mobility impairment
- HIV infection
- Intellectual disability
- Drug addiction (except current illegal use of or addiction to drugs)
- Mental illness
Emotional Support Animals vs. Service Animals: Whats the Difference?
Although emotional support animals and service animals have the same responsibilities, they do have their differences.
Service Animals
Service dogs are not considered pets. Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate their handler’s disability associated with a psychological disability such as Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).
The ADA requires three things for a dog to be a service dog:
- The person helped must have a life-limiting disability. This can be physical or mental.
- The dog must be trained to recognize and respond to the handler’s disability by doing either work or tasks.
- The dog must not cause a disruption in public. Service dogs must be both housebroken and leashed (except when the dog needs to be off-leash to provide disability-related work or tasks).
If a dog’s service status is not obvious, a business cannot ask about a person’s disability or require work or task performance or documentation of any kind, but may ask only two questions to figure out whether the dog is a service dog:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Service animals are not technically pets; therefore, disabled owners do not have to pay pet fees. Property owners can charge a security deposit and may still seek money from the tenant if there is any damage caused by the animal to the home. If there is a nuisance issue, the landlord does have the right to try to remove the assistance animal through legal proceedings.
Emotional Support Animals
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a pet that provides disability-relieving emotional support to an individual but is not necessarily trained to do so. Emotional support animals are not required to undergo specialized training and their primary role is to provide their disabled owners with emotional comfort. A regular pet can be an emotional support dog if a mental health provider writes a letter saying that the owner has a mental health condition or disability and needs the dog’s help for his or her emotional support.
While the ADA does not grant owners of emotional support animals the right to be accompanied by these animals in establishments that do not permit pets, the HUD’s Fair Housing Act does allow for disabled owners of emotional support animals to reside in housing that has a “No Pets” policy, as a reasonable accommodation.
Under FHA, a landlord has the right to ask for proper documentation for an emotional support animal to prove the owner is in need of an emotional support animal. This document is in the form of an Emotional Support Assistance letter from a mental health professional, which includes licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. In addition, the documented letter must be signed and printed using the mental health professional’s official letterhead.
When it comes to having an ESA, there are very specific rules and regulations set in place by the Fair Housing Act. Under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord or property owner is not allowed to:
- Make a tenant pay any extra rent or deposit for having an Emotional Support Animal
- Cannot ask a tenant about their disability
- Cannot require the tenant to register their Emotional Support Animal
- Require the animal to have any specific training
- Refuse to house the tenant because their insurance does not cover ESAs
Reasonable accommodation, however, can be denied if it imposes an undue financial or administrative burden on the housing provider. Tenants may also be denied housing if the Emotional Support Animal is extremely large, such as a horse or llama.
When a housing provider refuses a requested accommodation because it is not reasonable, the landlord should discuss with the tenant whether there is an alternative accommodation that would effectively address the tenant’s disability-related needs without imposing an undue financial and administrative burden.
Therapy Animals
Unlike a service dog, a therapy dog is a pet that has been trained to interact with many people other than its handler to make those people feel better. Therapy dogs are also trained to behave safely around all sorts of people and are often certified.
Therapy dog owners don’t have the same public access rights as service dog owners. This is because the owner of a therapy dog doesn’t have a disability that the dog is individually trained to mitigate. A therapy dog may visit hospitals or provide comfort following a natural disaster or catastrophic event with prior agreement (differing from service animal laws).
Therapy dogs also receive extensive training but have a completely different type of job from service dogs. Their responsibilities are to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals other than their handlers who are usually their owners. These dogs have stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personalities. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to socialize and interact with a variety of people while they’re on duty.
A therapy dog alone is not considered protected under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or Fair Housing Act (FHA). In this instance, the dog does not provide a disability service or function for the owner. However, if the therapy dog also serves as an emotional support dog for the owner, they are protected from housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.
Breed Restrictions
Under both ADA and FHA, there are no breed restrictions. If a disabled individual has an emotional support or service dog that the landlord prohibits (pitbull, rottweiler, husky), they must still accommodate that tenant and their service dog regardless of dog breed.
Manage Your Rental Property With Avail
At Avail, we’re building a community of responsible DIY landlords and tenants by providing them with education, end-to-end tools, and customer service to support them in their rental experience. Whether landlords need to screen tenants or create a lease agreement, Avail can help make renting easier for both landlords and their tenants. Create an account today to get started.
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