Are you a pet lover and want to rent an apartment, but the property’s lease states it doesn’t allow pets? There are a few ways to get around this rule.
One way is to use the New York City pet law. This law protects tenants from being evicted if their dog has been kept openly for three months or more.
1. Check the Lease
When you are looking for a new apartment, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that a number of buildings and rental properties allow pets. However, it is important to check the lease before making your decision.
A lease should include a pet clause, detailing which animals are allowed and any other restrictions the building or landlord has on pets. This should be a clear and concise document that you can refer to later if you have any questions.
Some landlords and property owners have strict no-pet policies out of concern for the overall maintenance of the apartment, and liability issues. Others have weight and breed restrictions that can make finding a place to live with your furry friends harder.
In some cases, a no-pet policy can be waived for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal if the tenant can prove that they have a disability. Generally, the animal needs to be licensed, and the tenant must have a medical or psychological condition.
Even if the building or property doesn’t allow pets, you can find pet-friendly apartment communities by searching online listings and talking to local real estate agents. You can also contact local humane societies and animal care and control agencies to request a list of pet-friendly communities in your area.
If you don’t know where to start, you can use a community apartment guidebook found at grocery stores or near newspaper distribution boxes. These books usually list which apartment communities are pet-friendly and contain information about the size and breed restrictions in place at each location.
You can also find information about the pet-friendly features of a particular apartment by contacting the resident manager or management office directly. Ask if they have pet-proofing information on hand and whether they can provide references for previous landlords who were happy to accept pets.
Finally, you can try to work it out with the landlord if they don’t agree to let your pet stay. It may be possible to negotiate a rent increase in the second or third year of the lease to cover the cost of maintaining the property with your pet.
2. Talk to the Landlord
If you have a pet and live in a no-pet apartment, there are some ways to try to get your landlord to allow you to keep your animal. One of the best ways to do this is by being honest about your desire to bring a pet into your apartment.
The first thing you want to do is check the lease. Make sure that your property has a pet policy that is clearly outlined in the lease. If it’s not clear, contact an attorney or tenant rights agency to review the lease and ensure that you have all your legal rights in place.
Another strategy is to speak with the landlord in person and ask if they are willing to work with you on an exception to the no-pet policy. If the landlord says yes, try to negotiate a fair deal with them.
You might also want to try getting a written pet agreement signed with the landlord before moving in. This will show them that you are serious about keeping a pet and being responsible for its behavior.
In most cases, a written pet agreement is more likely to get the green light than a verbal agreement. The document should include all of the details about your pet, such as when they can come and go, what you will do in the event that your pet gets sick or gets injured, etc.
Finally, you might want to send a letter to your landlord expressing your interest in keeping a dog or cat. The letter should include a statement that you have been a good tenant, that you have a love for animals, and that you would like to keep your animal in the building.
Hopefully, this will be enough to get the landlord to agree to an exception and let your pet into your apartment. However, if your negotiation does not work out, don’t give up! You never know if you will find a way to make things work out. You can even try finding a mediation center or humane society that will help you with resolving any issues with your landlord.
3. Try to Work it Out
When it comes to wooing your landlord, you need to be proactive. This means researching your local market, speaking to other renters and asking a few questions about the building before you even consider renting.
When you are ready to move in, you need to find a way to convince your landlord that you are a responsible pet owner. Fortunately, many landlords are open to a change in the rules and may be willing to allow you to have a pet if you can prove it’s an emotional support animal.
The most effective approach is to get an official letter from your licensed mental health professional stating you require the aid of a small animal for the betterment of your mental health. This should include a description of the animal and its intended purpose as well as identifying details about you and your current situation.
This may be a tough sell, especially if you are moving to a new city or state, but the most successful tenants will be those who are prepared to go the extra mile and make a few calls. It’s also worth noting that some apartments are more lenient about small pets than others. This is not to say that you won’t be asked to pay a pet fee, but there are certainly some out there that will go out of their way to accommodate your pooches and poodles.
4. Don’t Give Up
Many landlords are nervous about renting to pet owners. Some are even afraid that pets might cause damage to the property or make other tenants uncomfortable. But the truth is that most pet-owning renters are incredibly respectful of their rental property.
This fact is important to remember because it can save you from a lot of headaches in the future. Moreover, it can help you maintain relationships with your landlord and other neighbors in the building.
If your landlord is a strict no pet policy enforcer, there are ways to work around it. For instance, some cities have laws that allow landlords to waive a no-pet clause if they know the tenant has a pet or if the tenant has kept it openly for at least three months.
In addition, some tenants with disabilities might require a service animal (like a guide dog) or an emotional support animal (like an emotional support dog). Landlords have to be reasonable in approving these accommodations under federal law.
These animals provide a valuable and much-needed service to their owners and can offer significant benefits to those with mental and physical disabilities. But even if you do have a disability and you need an ESA, it’s still not always easy to get your landlord to agree.
The best way to avoid this issue is to ask your landlord directly if they are going to approve a pet. This will help you avoid any conflicts that could arise later on if your landlord decides to enforce the no-pet policy or if they do not approve your ESA request.
You can also consider offering a “pet deposit” or “pet rent” as a way to encourage your landlord to accept your request. This amount is typically added to your monthly rent and can range from $10 to $60 per month.
While this might seem like a lot of money to give up, it can be worth it in the end if you do not have to move out. And it is cheaper than going to court to try to negotiate a deal with your landlord.