How to Get a Landlord to Accept Pets

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

Rate: (5 Ratings)

If you can present your case in a persuasive manner, you may be able to get your landlord to accept your pooch or cat.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Writing pens
  • Stationery
Step1
Provide your landlord with written statements from former landlords that commend your pet's behavior and verify that your rental unit was well-maintained while you and your pet occupied the premises.
Step2
Invite your landlord to meet your pet and view the pet's behavior.
Step3
Offer the landlord a "pet deposit."
Step4
Inform your landlord in writing that you will pay for damages caused by your pet during your lease.

Tips & Warnings

  • Your state may have a law that allows tenants to keep pets under certain circumstances (such as a companion dog for a disabled tenant) even if the landlord has a no-pets policy.

Comments

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on 5/4/2008 Accept that some people do not enjoy being forced into contact with animals because of previous bad experiences, allergies, or aesthetic preferences. These people tend to search out habitation that has policies that restrict other tennants from owning pets. Respect their wishes and avoid putting your potential landlord into a no-win situation.
Ask your landlord if s/he can recommend an alternative.

Flag This Comment

on 5/4/2008 Accept that some people do not enjoy being forced into contact with animals because of previous bad experiences, allergies, or aesthetic preferences. These people tend to search out habitation that has policies that restrict other tennants from owning pets. Respect their wishes and avoid putting your potential landlord into a no-win situation.
Ask your landlord if s/he can recommend an alternative.

doglover

doglover said

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on 2/10/2007 Under your "Tips and Warnings" statement, I quote: Your state may have a law that allows tenants to keep pets under certain circumstances (such as a companion dog for a disabled tenant) even if the landlord has a no-pets policy.
...
If the landlord must allow pets for disabled individuals, then, the landlord MUST allow pets for all. Otherwise, the landlord himself, is discriminating against NON-disabled individuals... :-)

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 For you single women who live in a "no pets" apartment but really want a dog, try telling the landlord that you're frightened living alone, and that you would like a dog for protection or to give a warning to strangers.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you are having trouble finding an apartment that allows pets, try contacting local animal shelters. They often keep a list of pet-friendly apartments in the area. Do NOT purchase a pet for your landlord. This will not convince your landlord that you are a responsible pet owner! (And chances are you will be adding to the number of pets brought to the shelter.) Have your pet spayed/neutered, clean up after their mess, and obey leash laws. These are the things that a landlord is looking for in a tenant.

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