You consider your pet, a member of the family. You know that the country is pro-animal, but that dedication quickly dissipates when you tell an apartment manager that you have a pet. Usually, they are tougher on dog owners than cat owners. But many apartments in Texas, simply do not allow pets. Don’t let that get you down. They probably had a bad experience with a pet owner who left damaged carpets, walls, and even chewed up baseboards. Some pet owners are irresponsible. They have a dog that barks all day, disturbing other tenants. They neglect to clean up after their pet. All of this leads to one big headache for the landlord. There are some beautiful apartments that are not only pet-allowed but also pet-friendly. There is an example on the following page.
Below you will find some tips that will help you get your entire family accepted into a rental, including your pet.
- Get a copy of your pets veterinary records.
- Show the landlord that you are a responsible pet owner. Point out that the dog is in good health, and up to date on his shots.
- Have your dog spayed or neutered.
- This will be a plus to the landlord. They know one dog will not turn into six dogs.
- Get pet insurance
- Anything that will take the liability concerns away will put the landlord at ease.
- Bring a letter from your last landlord
- If he sees a letter (and pictures if you can get them) saying that the dog is not destructive or disruptive, it will go a long way.
- If your dog has been through obedience training, bring the certificate.
- The landlord will feel other tenants are not in danger if your dog is a large breed.
- Offer to pay an additional pet deposit.
- Apartments that allow pets usually ask for a pet deposit. If he doesn’t ask for one, offer to pay one. This eases his fear of unpaid damages to the property.
- Bring your dog to meet the landlord.
- Let him see how well behaved the dog is and how he reacts to your commands. This may be all he needs to know the dog is not a threat to the apartments or the other people who live there.
Make sure the apartment is good for your dog
This is a two-way street. You already know the dog will not be a problem for the property. But, is the property animal-friendly? Is there a designated place that the dogs can play? Are there parks nearby that you can take your dog to for exercise? Is there a lot of traffic around the complex?
Do a drive through the immediate area. Is there anything that concerns you? Do you see a lot of dogs roaming the neighborhood unattended? Your dog may be well-trained, but if someone has let their aggressive dog run free, he may attack your dog.
If you feel the apartments, and the area is a good match, then you should proceed. The comfort of your family is all that matters, and your furry friend is part of that family.
