If you're a pet owner who is considering a move to an apartment 
there are certain things you must be keep in mind. First, whether 
or not your pet will be accepted by most landlords depends 
primarily on the type, size and personality of your pet.


Dogs: 

If you own a large dog, apartment living is probably not for you. 
Not only will accepting landlords be hard to find, but your dog 
will not be happy in the confined space of an apartment. A large 
dog needs room to exercise and play, neither of which is usually 
available in an apartment setting. 

If you plan to move to an apartment, make sure your dog is one 
that will adapt easily to this change in environment. Usually 
smaller, lap dogs are the best choice. However, even smaller dogs 
can cause problems. 

If your dog barks or whines a lot you may well find yourself at 
odds with the landlord, as well as with other tenants. Many times 
your dog only causes a disturbance because it's lonely or bored. 
If you're gone during the day, you can sometimes alleviate these 
problems by hiring a pet walker to come in and give your dog 
attention and exercise. 

You must also keep in mind that most apartment complexes have 
leash laws so you will have to accompany your dog each time it 
goes outside. Since most complexes don't have areas where it's 
safe for your dog to run free, this is as much a matter of your 
dog's safety as it the protection of other tenants. 


Cats:

Cats are the pets of choice for apartments. Most are not as 
socially oriented as dogs and are quite happy left on their own. 
As long as your cat has a nice spot to curl up and take a nap, 
space isn't an issue. More than likely your pet is a house cat so 
frequent trips outside aren't required. 

But you must realize that some landlords do not accept cats any 
more willingly than they do dogs. Some have a strict "no pets" 
rule. If that's the case, don't consider renting there. If your 
pet is discovered you may be evicted and/or fined.


Other Pets:

"Pocket pets" such as fish, birds, and reptiles usually don't 
pose a problem when it comes to renting. However, you should 
still check with your prospective landlord to make sure.


General Tips:  

Landlords who do accept pets often require a pet deposit. This is 
intended to cover any damage your dog or cat does to the 
premises, as well as additional cleaning that may be necessary 
when you leave the apartment.

If you're searching for apartments that accept pets, there are 
many places to go for help. You'll find lots of websites and 
message boards dedicated to this subject. You can also enlist the 
help of a local realtor or relocation specialist who usually have 
lists of "pet-friendly" apartments. Just make sure you're clear 
on the policy regarding pets before you sign any rental 
agreement.

If you take into account your pet's needs, as well as those of 
your landlord, you'll be much more likely to find an apartment 
that meets your needs.

Happy apartment hunting!
 

Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the 
Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites:

An Apartment Directory
and 
A Relocation Guide

Copyright 1999 – 2006 STANZEEKAY Inc.