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| Pets
in Rental Housing |
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One of the major
problems pet owners may experience is finding a home (apartment, condo, house)
to rent. Many landlords, property managers and homeowners are afraid, for one
reason or another, to rent to people with pets. As a landlord I've always said
"no pets". I would clarify that to say that means "no dogs, no
cats..no horses, ferrets or temporary pets...". I was not a pet owner
(goldfish) but by the end of 2007, I became the owner (my kids did) of an Australian
Shepard named Blaze. Him and I have a love-hate relationship. When no ones
looking, him and I best friends. When people are around, we pretend we don't
know each other. Anyway, I'm still a landlord, and many of my tenants have snuck
in pets. So why would I be annoyed?
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- New
York Pet Law - Summary | New
York Bar Association Guide (pdf)
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Emotional Support Pets
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- Emotional Support "Pets"
- Exceptions may be made to NO PET clause for people with emotional or other
physical disability. Read More.
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Use search box - find guides to PET HOUSING
LAWS Example: Ohio Pet
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Why SOME Landlords don't want pets:
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-Some pets destroy a yard. Some people are allergic
to pets (other tenant or a future tenant..)
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-Damages to interior of home. Chewed
moldings, doors, windows. Urination smells or general pet smells.
Hair, stains.
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-Neighbors.
Loud animals, annoying animals, scary animals etc. Animals that may
attack. The landlord will be responsible.
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These are just some of the problems when renting with animals.
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NORMAL WEAR and TEAR: Learn what normal wear and
tear is. In general, damage caused by a pet WILL NOT BE considered NORMAL
WEAR and TEAR.
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| The
Humans Society of the United States |
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The Humane Society of the United
States, The ASPCA and many, many independent agencies offer
services to care for pets that can no be kept for one reason
or another. One of the biggest reasons - someone is moving or
the new rental does not permit pets. So where does the pet go?
Pets may also be expensive to keep - food, medical care etc
all add up. With the rising cost of living in most of the US -
rising gas prices, property taxes etc, the expenses of a pet
can overwhelm someone. |
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Pets deserve a lifetime of
responsible ownership and care, and property owners and
managers deserve rental properties free of problems caused by
irresponsible pet-owning tenants. Learn more about owning and
living with your pet. |
| What
PET owners say: |
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It's a small dog (small pit
bull...). He's trained. He doesn't bark. It's house pet. He's
friendly. I keep it in a cage (nice lion). I only have it for
a few days. What pet? |
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All in all, pets are probably
better then many tenants. Cleaner, quieter and more polite. |
| PET
SECURITY DEPOSITS |
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In MOST states by law, the
property owner may request a PET SECURITY DEPOSIT in addition
to the standard security
deposit. This may be limited by
law from $50 or One month additional rent or no maximum. READ
you lease BEFORE you sign. Follow our guidelines for Moving
in / Moving out with special notes if you have a
pet. Also see our Normal
Wear and Tear Guide. |
| PET
FRIENDLY HOUSING |
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Today, many more units have become
pet friendly. Why?
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- In soft rental markets,
"pet-friendly" may fill vacancies and charge more.
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- There are more people
(single, families etc) with pets who do not own their own
home.
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- There is a demand in the
market for pet-friendly accommodations.
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Visit our partners in Pet
Friendly Housing - our guide to Pet
Friendly Rental Housing.
Also check your local newspapers, ASPCA , VET, or Animal
Shelter for further assistance.
This Pet Friendly Housing guide will be updated as
we put the RentLaw.com "Pet Team" on this. Thank
you. |
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