Stuart Zullo
If you have a pet and have been looking to rent then you’ve no doubt realised that it can be a little bit tricky to find somewhere suitable. When you’re in competition with other renters who are sans pets, it can sometimes seem impossible to win a dream rental.
I can however offer you a few tips that can help put you on the right path to finding a suitable place to rent:
- Be Direct: Don’t be afraid to apply for properties that don’t specify that pets are allowed. In saying this though you should always be upfront about having a pet with the property manager. Be honest and explain your situation and the type of pet you have and make sure you call prior to going to an inspection (you don’t want to waste your time if pets aren’t allowed).
- Get Typing: Your pet’s chances of securing a rental may be helped along by the use of a pet resume. This may sound a little strange, but if you supply detailed information about your pet (such as training and medical history etc) you can help make you and your pet look more responsible.
- Ask for a Reference: If you’ve had a positive experience with your pet in a previous rental property, then don’t be afraid to ask for a written reference from your previous property manager.
- Offer Your Paw: In some circumstances it might be a good idea to ask the property manager or the owner if they want to meet your pet for themselves, so they can see for themselves that they are well-trained and obedient. If your pet is likely to get excited by guests though, then this probably isn’t the best idea.
Unfortunately the bad behaviour of a few pet owners can ruin it for the well-behaved majority, and if a property owner has had a bad experience with pets in the past then they are more likely to say “sorry no pets” for future tenancies.
If you have a well-behaved animal though, you can help break this cycle by showing them that somebody with pets is just as likely to look after their property.