Having A Pet In Your Apartment

Getting your first pet, owning your first dog, have a pet

Usually, people looking for apartment do not have pets and do not have any idea of getting one too. In case you can be classified as such, you don't have to bother yourself about the policy your landlord holds in having a pet.

But if you are having a pet, it is a good idea to first check out what policies are held by the landlord of the property regarding pets. Also, if you know you will be getting a pet or if you have suddenly started planning to get one during the course of your lease, it is wise to find out the landlord's policies regarding pets in this case too. Not being au courant in the first place might result in you buying your pet and finding out shortly that you are actually violating the terms of your lease. This, certainly, is something you don’t want to happen.

Your lease terms will throw some light into the matter of keeping pets. This may range from a tiny little line stating 'No pets of any kind allowed' to a multi-page "pet addendum" attached to your lease. These may contain various clauses and specifications as regarding the type, breed, height, weight etc. that are allowed or disallowed in the building, depending on where your landlord's policy with pets stand. It is highly recommended, therefore, to read through the terms of the lease completely and properly, paying special attention to all those terms and clauses related to keeping pets. You definitely do not want unnecessary tension and frustration in the middle of your lease.

You must aware, though, that all landlords who allow pets in the building will expect you to follow some basic safety precautions and procedures to ensure that everyone in the building are not affected by your pet, health-wise and safety-wise. In all sense of practicality, this is to be expected as well as accepted. You may need to provide various declarations and proofs relevant to your pet and its health, to your landlord, including proof that your pet has been spayed or neutered. You may also be required to sign a pet agreement which may contain various regulations related to controlling and adequately taking care of your pet. Such agreements usually include a clause requiring you to 'clean up' after your pet and compensating for any damages it may cause.

If you wish to get a pet but discover your apartment's lease terms do not allow it, don't be rash and 'get a pet anyway' ignoring the terms, or get convinced you cannot do anything and drop the issue / search for another apartment. Determine first, how important getting a pet is for you. Contact the landlord and find out if an exception can be made in your case, regarding the building's anti-pet rule. In many cases, the landlord is likely to not budge. But in case you require a pet to overcome a particular disability, your landlord might consider allowing you to have one provided you explain the situation properly. Producing medical certificates, doctors' recommendations etc. that state your necessity to have a pet will be excellent supportive proof for presenting to the landlord. However, if nothing convinces the landlord of your necessity to have a pet, you might want to meditate on the issue and consider if you really do need to move to a 'pet-friendly' building and, for existing tenants, not renew your lease once the term is over.