If you’re renting, you might wonder whether it’s a good idea to take on a pet. It’s always good to make an informed decision, especially when considering renting with a furry friend, as certain rules can see you face fines, or even eviction if you bring a pet into an apartment when you shouldn’t. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of renting with pets.
The Pros of Renting with Pets
Living with a pet has many undeniable advantages for those who enjoy their company, but if you’re trying to convince someone else, here are the main pros!
Great for your mental well-being
Pets can offer stability and familiarity, and bring purpose to an otherwise bleak existence. Caring for a living creature enables you to focus your mind and gets you out of bed in the morning. If you’re new to town and don’t know anyone yet, they can be a great comfort, and help in meeting new people.
They keep you active
As well as improving your mental health, most pets also encourage you to get physical. Dogs certainly ensure you get plenty of exercise, but even birds, cats, reptiles and insects will keep you busy with cleaning and caring for them.
An awesome addition to the family
A pet can be a great addition to the family, and children can certainly benefit from being around them. Children can learn from a young age about responsibility and how to interact with the other creatures around them. Children are also less likely to develop allergies.
It can be good for the pet
Rescue pets, in particular, can benefit from a warm home, regular food, and a caring owner. Often, the alternative is far less attractive, and large numbers of stray animals are taken to shelters or put down.
The Cons of Renting with Pets
The benefits of living with a pet are undeniable, but for renters, there are some extremely important downsides to consider.
Difficult to find pet-friendly places
Any pet owner who has previously looked for pet-friendly places to rent will tell you that it can be difficult to find somewhere that will accept your 4-legged friends. Even when you find one, there are likely to be clauses in the contract, and in the case of dogs, certain breeds may be forbidden. The exact regulations differ from place to place, but in general, landlords can refuse your application if you have a pet. On the other hand, in most areas, if they want to prevent renters from bringing pets, the landlord is required to state in the leasing contract that the rental is not pet-friendly.
Higher rents and extra fees
When you find a pet-friendly rental, you can expect the rent to be slightly higher, or at least to pay a pet deposit. This fee varies depending on the location but can cost anything from around $50 to a full month’s rent. If your pets cause damage to the apartment, you’re unlikely to get your deposit back, and may even incur extra costs depending on the extent of the damage. In addition, you’ll need to pay for food, vet fees, cleaning products, and other accessories.
Less flexibility
Pets are a lot of responsibility and you can’t pick and choose to care for them when it suits you. As such, you may find yourself with less flexibility than a renter who doesn’t own any pets. Relocating can be extremely stressful for your pets, especially in the case of cats, the ultimate creature of habit. Even a change in your daily routine can upset pets, and some may even suffer separation anxiety, causing them to get sick or cause damage while you’re away.
You’ll need to clean a lot more
Hairy pets such as cats and dogs shed a lot of hair. In a rented apartment, it’s extremely important that you stay on top of cleaning up after them, as many people are allergic to pet hair. A landlord can fine you if your pet sheds hair all over their furniture or carpets. Additionally, if their litter boxes or their beds and toys aren’t kept clean, there can be a strong foul odor.
Some pets love the apartment life, while others simply aren’t suited to living in a rental. Many dog breeds become bored and depressed if they’re locked inside for most of the day, and while cats that were born and raised in an apartment are normally okay, many cats that have spent time outdoors are likely to long to escape the confines of an apartment. So pick your pet and apartment carefully, and be sure that your furry friends will enjoy a great life by your side.
