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House Hunting with Furry Friends: A Pet-Owner’s Guide

A woman smiling, sitting on the sofa in a rental home with her dog.As a pet parent, it is necessary to find a rental home that can fit your furry friend. It can be disappointing to find out that some landlords don’t permit pets in their rental properties. However, if you know what to do, you can find a pet-friendly rental house that caters to your needs. This post will give you all the information you need to find a pet-friendly rental home and convince a landlord who doesn’t want to rent to you.

Our tips include:

  • Exploring rental listings that permit pets.
  • Preparing a pet resume.
  • Giving recommendations from previous landlords.
  • Being willing to pay a pet deposit.

By using these tips, you can improve your chances of renting a home that allows pets and ensure your furry companion has a nice place to stay.

How to Find a Pet-Friendly Rental Home

  1. Start your search early: You need a lot of time to find the perfect place. When you have more time, you can do more things. Focus your search on listings advertised as “pet-friendly,” or ask a friend, listing agent, or property manager. Beginning your search soon will give you a lot of time to find the best place for you and your pet.
  2. Prepare for a pet fee or deposit: Most landlords who allow pets will need a pet deposit. This is often a refundable deposit or non-refundable fee that protects against any damage your pet might do to the property. Get ready to pay this amount all at once. Many property owners will also charge a slightly higher rent or a “pet rent” on top of the base rent. Most of the time, the amount is pretty small and will help pay for any additional wear and tear your pet might do to the house.
  3. Introduce the landlord to your pet: Several landlords are more likely to rent to you if they meet your pet in person and witness that they are well-behaved. Also, this is a great chance to show the landlord how responsible you are as a pet owner. If seeing your pet in person isn’t possible, make a “resume”underlining your pet’s best qualities. Add a lot of pictures and any documentation from training classes, vaccination status, and all that.
  4. Offer to sign a longer lease: If they offer to sign a longer lease, landlords are more likely to rent to pet owners. This demonstrates to the landlord that you are committed to staying in the property for a longer time. A lot of property owners favor long-term tenants and may be more likely to accept you and your pet if you ask for a long lease.
  5. Provide references: If achievable, get references from previous landlords or neighbors proving your pet’s good behavior. These can be very useful when looking for any rental home, even one that says it’s pet-friendly. Make sure you bring your pet references with you when you meet with the potential landlord. Having these recommendations can really help you get a landlord to rent to you.
  6. Clean up after your pet: Lastly, you should always clean up after your pet and watch out that they don’t cause any damage to the property. If you can help it, don’t leave your pet unattended in the home.Instead, put them somewhere safe. This will help you stay on good terms with your landlord and keep your pet deposit safe.

 

Thanks to these tips, you should have a much better chance of finding a great pet-friendly rental home. To find the best-renting home for you and your pet in the Bradenton area, Real Property Management Seaside is the best one to talk to. We offer quality rental homes, many of which may be perfect for responsible pet parents like you. Call us today at 941-225-2533!

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