Your dog is a member of your family, so the thought of leaving him behind when you move into a place probably never crosses your mind. However, some apartment complexes do not allow tenants to have dogs. Certain landlords believe canines may cause damage to their property. Getting an apartment with a dog is a little more difficult, but it can be done. Here are five tips for renting with a dog:
Be Honest from the Beginning
Even if your dog is small and quiet and the landlord doesn't come around the apartment complex often, don't attempt to sneak your dog in. If you lie about having a dog and the landlord finds out, he or she may serve you an eviction notice. It is better to be honest from the beginning about having a dog.
Introduce Your Dog
A landlord may be more willing to accept your dog if he or she meets it first. There is no guarantee that your pooch will behave perfectly during this meetup, but it is worth a shot. A dog that acts friendly and disciplined will look good to a prospective landlord.
Bring References
If your dog has stayed in other apartments with you and behaved well, consider asking past landlords for written references. If a landlord finds out that your pooch did not cause any trouble in your past apartments, the dog will have a better chance of being accepted.
Provide Proof of Obedience Training
Some landlords refuse dogs on their properties because they think they will rip the carpeting or chew on the walls. If your dog has successfully completed obedience training, it is a good idea to show the landlord proof. When the landlord shows you around the apartment, give him or her official documentation of your dog's obedience training.
Buy Renter's Insurance
Another good way to convince a landlord to accept your dog is to buy renter's insurance. If your dog bites someone inside the apartment, the landlord will know he or she will not be liable for the damages. Most renter's insurance policies are inexpensive and will help the landlord feel good about renting to you.
If you follow these helpful tips, you will be more likely to rent an apartment with a dog. However, if the apartment you want to rent still won't accept your dog, do not get discouraged and move on to the next apartment. Contact Bonita Terrace Apartments to learn more.
Share31 August 2015
Apartment living can be a trial sometimes. Even the best apartment complexes can have problems, such as noisy neighbors. I experienced this firsthand with my newest neighbors. Between their partying and trashy existence, I was ready to go crazy. Late one night when they were being particularly noisy, I started researching my rights as a tenant. I found out I did not have to live with their inconsiderate behavior. As a public service, I decided to help others through this blog with their neighbor problems. Whether you are dealing with a landlord that will not do any repairs or bad neighbors, I can help.