How to rent an apartment with a pet
It is really difficult to find a landlord willing to rent an apartment to a tenant with a pet. For this reason, finding an apartment for a long-term lease becomes a real quest for many of these tenants. The chances of finding an apartment also depend on the kind of pet that will be living in the rented apartment - a large breed dog, a cat or a parrot. Let's take a closer look at the issue of renting an apartment with a pet: how to look for accommodation in such a case, how to increase your chances and what points tenants should pay special attention to.
Where and how to look for an apartment with a pet
Rent an apartment with a pet can be simply by an ad on thematic resources, but you need to be prepared for the fact that it can take much longer than when looking for housing without a pet. Consider ads in which it is stated "No animals!", it is definitely not worth it. In focus should be those where it is written that you can live with animals, as well as those where nothing is mentioned about pets.
If it turns out to arrange to view the object on the ad, where animals were not mentioned, there are two options when to inform about the "little friend". To save time, you can immediately write about the presence of a pet in messenger or say about it during a phone call. Messenger is more convenient in this case, because you can send a photo of your dog or cat, which may make the landlord smile and agree to rent the apartment. Another option is to inform about the pet when viewing the apartment. Here, too, there is a chance to make the landlord feel at ease, especially if you have at least minimal negotiation skills.
You can also look for an apartment for rent with a pet through a realtor. This is a good option, as the agency has a large database of objects, so the chances of finding a place to live are higher. In addition, many specialists know how to find an approach to the owner, how to persuade him to rent the apartment to a tenant with a dog or cat, what guarantees to offer in return, etc. But it is important to discuss with the agent what conditions are suitable and what are not, because owners often raise the rent or insurance premium when they find out about the presence of a pet.
How to properly communicate with the landlord to rent an apartment with a pet
It is pointless to persuade landlords who have warned that they do not want to rent an apartment to people with pets. But there are cases when landlords are not so categorical. In this situation, it makes sense to talk to the landlord, but it is important to do it correctly.
It is best to tell the landlord at once honestly how many animals will live in the apartment, what kind of animals they are, what breed they are, what kind of upbringing, character and discipline they have. If the landlord's reaction is neutral, you can show photos of the pets or videos where they behave calmly and well-mannered. This will help convince the landlord that his property will not be damaged by having a pet.
When communicating with the landlord, you can also show the pet's veterinary book, that it has all the necessary vaccinations. This will show that the animal is taken care of, which means that the landlord will not turn a blind eye to its behavior in the apartment.
In a conversation with the landlord it is worth mentioning more arguments in favor of your pet, for example, tell that the dog has been trained, the cat is sterilized and regularly trimmed, etc.
It's great if you can show the new landlord references from the owners of the previous rental property. It is also worth assuring the landlord that the tenant will bear all material responsibility for the actions of the pet. To back up your words, you can suggest that the landlord conclude a contract and spell out all the important points in it.
What conditions of living in a rented apartment with a pet should be specified in the agreement
To avoid misunderstandings and conflicts in the future, it is best to immediately conclude a rental agreement with the owner of the apartment and specify in it the presence of a pet and all controversial points.
What should be specified in the contract:
Permission for the animal to live in the apartment. The document must state that the landlord authorizes the tenant to live in the apartment with the pet(s). It is also worth specifying the type of pet, breed, and number of pets. If the owner only allows small breeds of dogs, this should also be included in the contract.
Liability for damages. It is important to specify that the tenant is responsible for any damage to the property done by the animal. If necessary, it is worth specifying a mandatory security deposit. If you have a pet, it usually increases by 20-200% depending on the loyalty of the landlord.
Care and sanitation. The tenant is obliged to keep the apartment clean. The owner has the right to prohibit the stay of animals that make a lot of noise and leave behind an unpleasant odor.
Prohibition on breeding animals. It is worth stating in the contract that the apartment is rented to a tenant with an animal without the right to breed or use the apartment as a kennel.
Responsibility to neighbors. The tenant must provide comfortable living conditions, i.e. not to inconvenience the neighbors due to aggressive behavior or noise of the animal.
The terms of termination of the agreement. The document should state that a breach of the terms and conditions of keeping the pet may be grounds for early termination of the agreement.
The pet owner must demonstrate that he or she is willing to be responsible for the actions of the pet, which is confirmed by an individually drafted and signed lease agreement. This will make it much easier to reach an agreement with the landlord and convince him that the apartment will be fine.
In addition, it is not a bad idea to draw up an acceptance certificate. It is important to describe all the furniture and appliances and what condition they are in. You can also take detailed photographs before you move in. This will help avoid unpleasant moments when the tenant is blamed for damage to the property that occurred before they moved in.
How to avoid conflicts with your neighbors and landlord
The main condition to avoid conflicts with the owner of rented accommodation is to never hide the fact of having a pet. It is best to tell the landlord at once that you need an apartment to live in with a pet or that you plan to get a dog/cat. If the landlord is against it, you can try to negotiate, for example, to specify responsibility for damage in the contract, to make a security deposit or to increase the rent, if it is suitable. If the owner still does not agree, it is better to look for another place to live.
It is also possible to prevent conflicts with neighbors. First of all, you should educate your pet and pay attention to it. If it is a dog, you need to walk it more at an active pace, so that it rests at home and does not create noise. It is also important to teach it commands so that it obeys its master. When walking your dog in the yard, be sure to clean up after him. It is also important to use a leash and, if necessary, a muzzle. If the neighbors do complain, it is worth trying to find a compromise and agree.
The real estate agency "Mayak" is always ready to help you find an apartment for rent, where you can live with a pet. Contact experienced realtors who know how and where to look for loyal landlords.
