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Renting with Dogs
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Renters who have a dog or more than one dog may face additional challenges
when renting an apartment or a house. One of the primary challenges the renters
may face is finding a living situation which is acceptable to them and also
willing to accept their pets. This can be difficult as many rental properties
do not allow dogs at all. Those who do allow animals on the property may place
certain restrictions on they size and breed of dog which may reside on the property.
Finding an Acceptable Living Situation
The first step in renting with dogs is to find an acceptable living situation.
For those who wish to rent with dogs, the first question to be asked should
be whether or not dogs are allowed to live on the property. This is important
because it can save the renter a great deal of time. The renter may otherwise
invest a great deal of time learning more about the property or even
undergoing a credit check only to find out pet are not permitted.
For some dog owners, finding a rental situation which allows dogs is not
the end of the search. The renter should also confirm the type of dog he
owns will be allowed to live on the property. This may include both the
size of the dog as well as the breed as some apartment complexes place
limitations on the size of the dog and also prohibit certain breeds.
Again confirming these facts early in the search for an apartment can
be a tremendous time savings especially for those who own large or
commonly banned breeds.
Renters should also consider the surrounding area when selecting a
rental property. An ideal location would be one in which there is an
adequate location to walk and exercise the dogs. Areas with large
grassy areas may be ideal while areas which do not have a location
to walk a dog may be problematic.
Read Contracts Carefully
Renters who have dogs should read their contract carefully before
making a decision to rent a particular property. This is important
because many landlords may impose restrictions on renters who own
dogs. These restrictions may include, but are not limited to,
requiring an additional security deposit for the renter, requiring
specific cleaning methods on the carpets after the renter vacates
the apartment and holding the renter responsible if the dog engages
in nuisance barking. Nuisance barking can be a problem in apartment
situations where the apartments are located close together and even
share a common wall. Renters should be aware that in some situations,
nuisance barking can be a cause for eviction. For these reasons,
renters who own dogs should take the time to familiarize themselves
with the rental contract.
Take Care of Your Rental Property
Finally, renters who have dogs may have to take additional efforts
to maintain their apartment. This may include more diligent cleaning,
especially of the carpets. Renters with dogs should respond quickly
to accidents in the house to minimize the possibility of permanent
staining and odors. Each accident should be addressed immediately
and every effort should be made to clean the affected area completely.
Renters with dogs should also vacuum regularly especially if their
dog is a heavy shedder. This will help to keep the living environment
cleaner and will also minimize the amount of cleaning required when
the renter vacates the property. Regularly vacuuming will prevent
hair from being embedded into the carpet so deeply that it is
difficult to remove.
Finally, renters with dogs should take care to pick up after their
dogs while on walks and to keep their dogs leashed while in common
areas. Many cities have leash laws and laws regarding picking up
after dogs. Even if these laws are not in effect, renters should
follow these policies as a courtesy to their neighbors. Additionally,
keeping dogs on leashes during walks helps to ensure their safety
by preventing them from running into the street.
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