Comments on: 5 Steps to Renting Pet Friendly Apartments

By: Melyssa

Melyssa — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:26:51 +0000

We’ve had a tenant we’ve rented to for about a year (we live in the big part of the house and rent out a small 2nd floor apartment). We have 2 cats, and have had them through many years of tenants. Today, our tenant came to me fuming about cat claw marks on the hood of his red 1985 camaro (he said he just got a new paint job). He claims he is sure it is our black cat, even though there are lots of other cats on the neighborhood. We’ve never had problems with cat claw marks on our own hoods, and neither have any of our past tenants. Any thoughts? We don’t have anything about this in our lease as this is not something we’ve come up against yet. Does anyone think we are legally responsible to take care of the claw marks? Any suggestions on how to keep this from happening? We all know cats like warm engines!

By: pet lover

pet lover — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:08:12 +0000

i have 2 dogs 2 cats and 1 bird and my cat are 9 and 10 lb and 8 10 years old and i have 2 do 51 and 9 lb and 7 and 17 years old and helthy and well tranid woud it be hard for me to find a apartment in Michigan

By: pet lover

pet lover — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:02:28 +0000

i have 2 cats and 2 dogs i have a bird to but my dogs are 9 and 51 lb and my cats are 9 and 10 lb

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:00:59 +0000

My concern is not moving in its the surprize when I move out. I get a bill or have several times for carpets etc.
when I know I have not left a big mess the community decided to just change everything out. and charge me.
claiming they have pictures.
The last time I moved out and called back and asked before I recieved any surprize notices. Is everything ok. No problems with conditions ( I was very specific) Oh yes mame it is all looking fine. great so I should get my deposit 300. back oh yes mame. great!!!
Two months later the Apt Manager calls me telling she would turn my charges over to a colection agency ????
what I tried to talk to them but there was no give and when I told them I had spoke to several employees there to make sure it was ok. it really made no difference

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:54 +0000

Help I can’t seem to find an answer,My mom had a stroke a while back and I and her Dr. feel that a therapy dog would help her so much, however her landlady doesn’t allow pets. Is there any way around this with letter written from her Dr. stated the medical necessity for the dog?

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:58:32 +0000

When I went to college in Charlotte, NC I rented an apartment. At first I went without my beloved mutt Mollie [originally from Michigan] but that turned out to be too difficult. So after a couple of months she joined me. The apartment I lived in was really nice about it. There was a $300 nonrefundable pet fee and $15 extra per month but I see the reason behind it and Mol is well worth the extra cash.

Since then we’ve moved back to Michigan. I live in a small town here and it was IMPOSSIBLE to find pet friendly housing. Everywhere I looked had NO PETS! Now, we only have one commercial apartment complex and everything else is privately owned. Thankfully, my mom and dad own a rental house. Once the previous renters vacated, I moved in. They know and love my dog so it’s no problem.

I’m moving back to Charlotte next year and I’ve started researching apartments again. It seems that most places let you have dogs with the usual fee/deposit and extra rent.

It really bugs me that people sneak their animals in! I pay alot of money to be able to have my dog, why shouldn’t other people? I only ever had one issue with my dog and another tenant. It was pouring buckets and she needed to poo, so I let her out and watched her from under the stairwell. I watched where she went and planned on picking it up in the AM. Before I got to it, my neighbor’s show did. He was upset, which I understand [though he was a jerk who stared at females way too much!] and I’m usually really good about cleaning up her messes. I think it’s important and people who don’t give us all a bad name.

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:38:38 +0000

Might I point out that being nicer about your to declaw or not to declaw opinion, things might go better?

My family is for the most part a dog family. We have to and they’re the absolute loves of our lives. That said, we’ve had cats over the years. My dad had one in college and in my opinion she was the best cat ever. About ten years ago a stray had kittens in our garage- four of them. We found homes for three and decided to keep the last one.

Bailey is declawed- I was only nine at the time so I can say I had no part of the decision making. I can also say that I’m not sure of my stance on the issue. I see that there are valid reasons for concern. At the same time, I have a very happy and well adjusted cat at home with no claws. Now, he’s strictly indoor and only gets out a couple times a year. Still, he’s got quite a happy life. Other than having to deal with a couple crazy dogs anyhow.

In any case, I’m sure we can all agree that much worse things happen to cats than declawing. There are people in this world who are intentionally cruel and abusive towards them, isn’t that more important than whether or not a loving cat parent declaws?

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:32:46 +0000

You’re on dangerous turf–it’s still a big, inarguable breach of your rental agreement, and if you’re caught, it could be hard to find another place. Definitely not going to get a good reference… What if they have to come unexpectedly in for a plumbing or electrical issue, and Mr. Cat greets them at the door? That happened to me…figures, he’s too scared of any visitor to be nice but walks right up to the landlord with his paw out : ( Or what if the place changes hands and the new owner is a terror about pets? Owners are understandably bitter. You might be wise to talk to the LL as if you’re just getting the cat, and since you’re good clean tenants, he may just ask for the deposit and waive the rent thing.

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:17:50 +0000

I have had a TERRIBLE time in Columbus Ohio finding a place that allows my Dog. Alot of rentals agencies do not list on their site if they allow pets or not. It was such a pain and stressful hearing that “we do not allow pets”. So Discouraging trying to rent. I found pet friendly sites, Like stated in the article, have high deposits. Most of the time they are all large duplexes.

I recently just came across a newer site in the area. http://www.columbuspetrentals.com They list individual landlords, and I believe there is no cost involved. I wish there were more of these helpful resources when I move next!

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:07:21 +0000

**********************GREAT TIP******************** I am in the process of moving into an apartment, there is a 350 dollar deposit for pets, and 15 dollars extra each month for each pet. I have two cats, so it is 30 dollars each month plus the deposit. The lady I worked with at the apartment told me that if I got a doctor note saying that my pets were purchased for medical reasons or just emotional support/companionship, then they will waive all charges. So my doctor is writing the note and I am saving a ton of money. She said most people dont know that but the apartment has to waive it if you have a dr. note.!!!!

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:21:59 +0000

I’m having the same problem right now and it is a pain. My Pitbull is the biggest baby you will ever meet and is well behaved but nobody wants to rent to me because of her breed. Did you ever find a place?

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:47:40 +0000

That is terrible. I live in a complex that use to just allow cats and now they allow dogs, but only certain breeds and in certain buildings. But of course, tenants are abusing that and bringing dogs into all the buildings! It isn’t fair because I am paying monthly rent to have my cat and they get to have their dog for free. I am so afraid that next the complex will decide not to have pets at all because of this abuse. I knew right when they changed the pet rule that this would happen.

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:32:30 +0000

It is going to be a difficult task because most apartments that are pet friendly have a list of dogs that are not allowed in the complex and that one is usually on the top of the list. I feel badly for your because I know how it is to love your family pet but you almost have to have a house to have that breed of dog in today’s society. Good luck to you.

By: Guest

Guest — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:28:11 +0000

We moved in to a retirement coop about 6 months ago. we were told that we could have two pets. We have a cat and a dog. When the snow started melting, our neighbors noticed that we hadn’t picked up all the poop and they complained to the owners. We got a notice that we needed to do something or futher action would be taken. We got a pooper scooper and have since been very loyal pooper scoopers. Now they want to charge everybody here a pet deposit. I stated that the pets that are already here should be grandfathered in, but any pets after this should pay the deposit. He was very snide (I feel) with me and said that he would not allow that to happen. Of course at that time I told him I felt intimidated and also had to leave the meeting. Later that evening I found out I was elected chairman of the “pet deposit task force”. I’m going to my second meeting now to let them know I decline the nomination. I feel it was done out of spite anyway, but we’ll see. My question is, do they have the right to impose the pet deposit after the fact?

By: Guest

Guest — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:04:35 +0000

we moved into our apt a year and a half ago. when we moved in, we didn’t have a cat. however, i knew that we would soon - my boyfriend’s 12 year old cat from childhood who used to live with his mom. but we didn’t tell the land lord about this - we would an extra $20 added onto our rent! which to me, was bs. so we just moved him in. we are extremely clean people so it’s not like he’s making a huge mess the apartment will have to clean when we move out. anytime he has an accident, we shampoo the carpet. he’s also declawed, (not my doing) so he’s not scratching things up. not the most honest approach, but at least i feel a little better about the god awful squeaking ceiling that will never be fixed!

funny thing is, the landlady and maintenance people have been in our apt. usually we just put the cat in another room and shut the door - but we always forget to put his toys, food dishes, litter box, etc… away! oops! but they’ve never said a word.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:01:49 +0000

I’m looking for a new place to live. I have an American Staffordshire Terrier. How can I find a place to rent that will allow this breed? He’s a well behaved dog. But as soon as I say what breed he is, I get told they won’t rent to me. How can I convince landlords that he’s not a vicious dog?

By: Guest

Guest — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:32:43 +0000

I have a rott/ german shepard mix. She really dosent even look like a rotttweiller or german sheapard besides her markings. Her body type isint like either one. I have been trying to find an apartment and have not had any luck at all! It seems that all the ones who do allow big dogs have restrictions on breeds. Which apperantly my dog is an “agreesive breed.” It is just very frustrating. If anyone can help me that would be wonderful! I live in the st louis area.

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:59:57 +0000

I just wanted to let you know that cayenne pepper IS harmfull and could Kill a puppy if they eat it. I have lived in my apartment for 3 years. I have two puppies I rescued. My one puppy ate some of it that my neighbor had spreed out all over and got very sick. She wouldn’t eat or drink anything so she had to have injections put in the back of her neck to help the severe dehydration. Take pain medication for the pain in her large intestion. It took a week untill she could eat a table spoon of food. If I didn’t catch this in time she would no longer be with me. To do this is a crime. you wouldn’t do it to your own child so why an animal? They are helpless and If there is a problem all you should do is talk to your neighbor about how you feel. But I will pray for all people who harm any animal. I just wanted to get the word out about the cyanenne pepper.

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:43:12 +0000

Just tell them that it’s not you. At least they will have on record that you responded to the complaint. If you do not respond there is a good chance that they will assume you are the guilty party.

By: Guest

Guest — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:20:10 +0000

It’s also a great idea to use double sided tape on sheets of paper that are lightly stuck down to the window sills (so you can remove them without trouble before moving out). The cats HATE getting paws on tape, and will quickly move off the window sill. We used this training method in the baby crib before our baby was born (with our cat) and it worked wonders. Also works when sticking tape on the furniture (temporarily).

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:40:37 +0000

I have been living at an apartment complex for the last 5 years. I paid my pet deposit and now because 5 out of 100 people living there have not and their dogs are running around and pooping everywhere we have to get rid of our animals what are our rights as pet owners.

By: Guest

Guest — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:15:15 +0000

Don’t explain anything. Someone has nothing better to do. You are doing everything correctly.

By: Guest

Guest — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:54:57 +0000

my cat lived to go outside and he lived till he was 18. Cats are animals and need fresh air. unless the cat was brought up an indoor cat i think it should be allowed to go outside. you cannot change a cats ways when they are 11 years old. good luck on the problem…..hopefully there can be a compromise as was written about the balcony.

By: Guest

Guest — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:04:45 +0000

Get a dog anyway! If managers can’t discriminate against you because you’re a certain race, definately do not let them do it on the subject of having a dog!!

By: Guest

Guest — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:00:40 +0000

Move, or just have a heart-to-heart talk with the b—- & tell her to shut her d— mouth! Some people just always have something to complain about! HOW IRRITATING!!!!