Despite it seeming strange to pet lovers, a lot of people aren't really fond of our four-legged, furry and feathered friends. This makes finding great apartments a bit more challenging, to say the least. However, it can be done, with enough time and effort, and most pet owners find the effort well worthwhile.
The best place to start is usually with private home owners. Private home owners who are willing to consider pets are usually animal lovers themselves, and will be more open to your furry friends. And their policies often aren't set in stone the same way those at a corporate-run apartment complex might be. However, this can be a more expensive and more difficult to find option.
Apartment complexes that advertise as being pet-friendly are the next best choice to private owners. However, these places often charge not only a pet deposit but also pet rent, especially in certain parts of the country. Pet rent can range from a nominal fee to a huge increase in price, so be aware and ask about this.
Dogs are the hardest conventional pets to move with, as they are the least likely to be accepted. 'Pet-friendly' does not always mean dogs allowed-- in fact, it often means cats only. On the flipside of this, however, ask even complexes with a no pet policy whether your rabbit, guinea pig, or parakeet can come, as some places will say yes.
The worst thing you can do is lie about your pets. Although in some cases no one ever finds out, if you are found out, you will usually be given a choice between getting rid of the pet and leaving. Often, the time period in which to do so is very short, and if you don't have a secondary location for the pet to go to, it will wind up in a shelter. Plus, you risk eviction, which could make finding new housing very difficult.
Ideally, you will have lots of time to look at places and consider your options. Putting yourself down on the waiting list for great apartments is an option when you look for housing this way, too. At the very least, start looking early, such as a couple months before your moving date, or even as soon as you know that you plan to move.
If you are faced with a situation where you have to prove your pet would be a good tenant, there are things you can do to make this go more smoothly. Firstly, you should get a letter of recommendation from your current landlord, stating that your pets have been problem-free tenants. Then, gather shot records, license information, and other documentation that makes it clear your take pet ownership seriously.
For housing dogs, one of the best things to do is take them to training classes. Not only does your dog learn to behave in various different situations, but landlords see training classes as one of the best indicators that you are a responsible owner. Pursuing a Canine Good Citizen award (an AKC certificate of good behavior in a variety of situation) can also be a great step in the right direction.
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