Why do apartments have weight limits on dogs? Surprising Answer

How To Deal With Dog Restrictions

As a dog owner, these restrictions can feel very unfair.

You might have a dog that’s on a restricted breed list but has never been temperamental.

Maybe your Rottweiler is an absolute sweetheart or your Great Dane has never run into anyone; instead, it treats people with gentleness. What then?

There are some things you can do to work around apartment dog restrictions, such as if the landlord is the one who set these breed restrictions. Here are three things to try before you go ahead and accept the restrictions.

Set up an interview with the landlord in which you bring your beloved dog to meet him/her. This could help the landlord see that your dog is not aggressive or hyperactive enough that it could cause problems, either to your apartment or other people living in the building. If you have a dog that is heavier than the building’s pet weight restriction, perhaps an interview could also help you show the landlord that even though Fido weighs 40 pounds, he’s not an active dog and won’t cause you any problems.

Create a dog resume. It might sound funny to make your dog his/her own resume, but it can be very valuable. This resume should contain important things like vet records, pictures, and any other information you have to help you show the landlord that your dog is well-behaved and has a good nature.

Don’t forget a reference letter! In addition to having a dog resume, showing your landlord a reference letter from a previous landlord that states how your dog never caused problems can be exactly what you need to be able to live with your pet. If the landlord can see that your dog hasn’t caused problems in the past, then he/she might take a different approach to your dog.

2) What breed and weight restrictions apply?

When it comes to breed and weight restrictions, this usually applies more to dogs than cats. First of all, before getting a dog, it is recommended that future pet owners do thorough research into the breed that would best fit their lifestyle. Getting a dog that requires a lot of exercise wouldn’t be the best fit for a household that is minimally active. The same research should be implemented toward what dogs are best for what kind of apartments. Some dogs do well in apartments, others need more space than for example a studio or 1 bedroom apartment. According to the American Kennel Club, the dogs listed to the left are the dogs that are best suited for apartment living, based on reputation, size, and personality. The dogs listed to the right are dog breeds that are commonly banned from apartment buildings based on reputation, size, and personality.

These are just some dogs that are mentioned as being a good fit for apartments and vice versa. There are of course other breeds that other landlords might frown upon or that do well in apartments. Alongside being aware of certain dog breeds that are commonly banned from apartment buildings, another obstacle is weight restrictions. Usually, renters are met with a weight limit of 20 – 50 pounds. This immediately limits most of the bigger size dogs from the commonly banned list above.

Part One: Breaking Down the Requirements

We know “no pets allowed” means no pets in the apartment building. But how strict is that and what animals does it apply to? That depends on the apartment building and the landlord. It should be specified in your lease what kind of pet is allowed and not. For example, you would probably think the “no pets” policy wouldn’t apply to fish as they don’t take up too much space nor can they be considered noise disturbance. While a single fish in a small fish bowl probably won’t be a problem, a large fish tank might be frowned upon. An apartment building or landlord will be more reluctant to accept animals that can be a liability to their property. In the lease, there should be a pet clause confirming which animals are allowed, the number of pets allowed, and any other circumstances around the pet.

Having a Dog in an Apartment – Quick Tips

In a bid to retain or attract tenants as the pandemic continues, many landlords in New York City are changing their rules about pets to be more lenient. This is good news for renters who have dogs that weigh over 50 pounds—often the maximum weight limit in many buildings.

Companies that previously denied pets are in some cases allowing them—where one pet was acceptable now you might be able to have two.

TF Cornerstone, a rental company with buildings throughout the city, is among those adjusting its policies. The firm will now allow tenants to have two dogs rather than one, and increase the maximum weight limit from 50 to 75 pounds. Pitbulls and rottweilers are still prohibited breeds.

Bettina Equities, which manages over 2,000 apartments in Manhattan, generally did not allow tenants to have pets before the pandemic but Rose Caiola, the companys principal says, with so many people working from home they are changing their pet policy to allow dogs up to 30 pounds.

“Pets are our unconditional buddies that love us always, so we are definitely allowing that—you have to,” she says.

[Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was published in October 2015. It is presented here with updated information for January 2021.]

If you’re looking to move into a rental with a large dog, here’s how to find an apartment that will welcome you and your furry friend.