Suggestions on how to rent with pets
By Gloria Towle
CAHS secretary
The Central Aroostook Humane Society’s employees, volunteers, friends and board of directors are still so very excited about the Toyota vehicle that will be ours very soon. The news that our little shelter was the winner of a new vehicle is still unbelievable. We all worked so hard to get the word out on the Facebook voting. The incredible outpouring of support from so many people — even total strangers across the country — filled our hearts and made us very proud of the important work that we do!
Some suggestions from Pet-Friendly Housing – How to Rent with Pets.
Landlords want to protect their investment. As a pet owner, you want to show a prospective landlord that you are a responsible tenant and a responsible pet owner. You want to convince the landlord that it would be a good thing to have you as a tenant. Here are a few things to consider when renting with pets: Take the time to show a landlord helpful information like obedience and socialization classes, any volunteer work your pet might have done, references from veterinarians, dog trainers, pet sitters, neighbors, previous landlords, etc. You could also include a copy of your pet’s vaccination records to show that he’s healthy and is up-to-date on vaccines. It also helps to show that your pet is spayed or neutered.
Offer a prospective landlord the opportunity to visit you at your current residence. He can then meet your pet and see how well you keep your current rental unit. Try to take a few days off when you move into a new place to help your pet adjust. It’s new for your pet, too, and sometimes even the quietest pets will get anxious in new surroundings and make excessive noise which disturbs the neighbors. It often helps if you can be there to help your pet adjust to his new home. Be a good neighbor. Make sure your pets don’t disturb your neighbors, whether it’s with noise, pets wandering loose, or unsightly messes. Remember that your landlord has to deal with complaints and won’t be happy if it keeps happening!
Be diligent about addressing any concerns your landlord may have. If an issue arises about your pet, make sure you understand what the problem is and take immediate steps to address it. Get permission for all types of pets, not just dogs. Sometimes tenants assume that indoor cats or caged pets will automatically be OK because no one else ever sees them. Trouble (and heartache) arises when they’re found to have pets without permission. There are many landlords that place restrictions on what types of pets you can have. Even birds are a tough issue because their singing, chirping, and sometimes even talking can be loud and disruptive to other residents of the building. Check your rental agreement first before you get a pet.
Most of the time you will need to get approval from your landlord before you get a pet, even if you already have one. Many units have a limit on the number of pets, even the size or types of pets allowed. Get it in writing. A verbal acceptance of your pet isn’t good enough. Ask to get it in writing so that you have some protection if they later ask you to get rid of your pet (if you violate any of the rules they may be able to do it anyway). Make sure your rental agreement states the name and type of your pet(s). Be prepared with temporary housing plans. You might not be able to find pet-friendly housing right away so have a backup plan in place. Ask a good friend or a family member if they would be willing to care for your pet temporarily until you can find rental housing that allows pets.
Although landlords and tenants are often at odds about the issue of allowing pets in rental units, there are many successful landlord-tenant relationships that include pets. Landlords are happy to have responsible tenants with pets as it can mean fewer turnovers. Tenants with pets are likewise happy to have decent “pets allowed” housing and will take good care of the rental unit.
Before any pet can be adopted at the Central Aroostook Humane Society, our staff will be checking on whether you own your home or rent; permission from your landlord will be needed if you are a tenant. Right now we have so many wonderful dogs and cats that are ready for adoption. Please stop in and consider finding your next companion. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with a lunch break from 12-12:30 p.m. Visit us online at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org or check us out on Facebook. Please be responsible … spay and neuter your pets!
