Are Pets Allowed in Your Rental?
One of the potential drawbacks of renting a house or an apartment is having to accept pet restrictions. Your lease may not state that pets are prohibited, but it may have been implied when you first moved in. Or, your lease may specifically state “no pets” or “no dogs.” If this is the case, you likely wont be able to get a dog until you move elsewhere. Do not attempt to sneak in a dog or you could end up facing fines or even eviction.
When you first signed your lease, your landlord will likely have made it clear whether the “no pets” restriction was negotiable or not. However, if you have lived there for a while, it may be worth asking again. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to change your landlords mind.
Property owners have good reasons for not wanting dogs on rental properties. Irresponsible dog owners are notorious for damaging floors, irritating neighbors, having smelly apartments, leaving messes everywhere, and being obnoxious in general about their dogs. From your landlords perspective, it may not be worth taking the risk.
How to Ask Your Landlord if You Can Have a Dog
Many landlords may have initially allowed pets in their rental units, but one or two bad experiences likely soured them on the idea. If a previous tenant allowed their dog to destroy a room or barked all night causing numerous complaints, you are going to have a hard time convincing him that you will be different.
You may be able to sway your landlord in your favor if you are willing to sign and abide by a written agreement stating your intentions and obligations as a pet owner. Your landlord may already have such an agreement for you to sign. If not, you may wish to present your landlord with an agreement to show you are committed to being a responsible pet owner.
I, [name], tenant of [address], agree to abide by the following rules while any dog is in my residence and under my care:
I agree that I will take care of my dogs needs, including keeping my dog:
Failure to abide by these rules will result in the dogs relocation and re-homing, or the tenants relocation. The tenant understands that failure to adhere to this agreement is considered a violation of the lease/rental agreement.
Getting the green light to bring home a new pet
Regardless of the language in your lease, youll need to submit a letter to your landlord formally asking for permission to introduce a furry new resident. As you prepare this letter, there are a few things to consider to increase your chances of getting a yes.
Remember, you may encounter a few obstacles when asking about the pet policy. If past tenants were bad pet owners, your landlord may feel wary allowing any other animals into the apartment.
Management may have concerns about the type of pet or breed youre asking to adopt based on existing stereotypes related to noise or aggression. Consider combating these hiccups to pet ownership with a request letter thats persuasive in all the right ways. You may want to focus on the following topics:
Landlords may have common concerns when it comes to pet adoption. This includes your ability to be a courteous and responsible pet owner. Let your landlord know youre sensitive to how pets can affect neighbors, and that an unruly pet can cause property damage.
Share your intent to fully train and socialize your pet to ensure theyre on their best behavior as often as possible. Provide proof youll be adding pet insurance to your renters insurance policy to prepare for any incidentals as well.
If there isnt a pet policy in place, with fee requirements, offer to pay a pet deposit of around a few hundred dollars. You can also offer to pay pet rent, adding on anywhere from $50-$100 a month to your existing cost.
How Should a Landlord Handle a Tenant Sneaking a Dog into their Rental Property? | Ask James Wise 27
Many renters have long hoped to introduce a pet into their home life and overall routine. Adding a new pet to your lifestyle can give you an immense burst of happiness and joy. Whether youre a dog person or a cat lover, these additions to the family can transform your life for the better. Yet, the process for adopting a new dog or cat can be very different for homeowners and renters. A renter must ask their landlord for permission when it comes to adopting a new animal. Asking to adopt a pet can be a daunting task for a renter, especially one whos just moved into a new property and hasnt established a deep rapport with their landlord yet. You really only have one shot at making this request. Therefore, renters must take the time to get to know their landlord and formulate a strategy for making a request that will ultimately be successful. The New York Times notes that renters should strategically use negotiation tactics to save on rent, and the same principles apply here, too.
Most landlords are very reasonable and are overwhelmingly willing to be accommodating to the desires and needs of their tenants. But it is still important to consider how you will approach your landlord for the best chance of getting what you want. With these five tips, you can formulate a strategy thats highly likely to yield the desired result when asking to bring a new beloved pet into your home.