Pet-Friendly Apartment Living
It wasn’t that long ago when renters with pets faced obstacles, as not all apartment communities would rent to pet owners. Well, thankfully, times have changed, and now, most apartment communities not only welcome pets but also offer pet-friendly amenities. One point to clarify is that while an apartment community may welcome pets, they are not pet-friendly. No. This doesn’t mean that your beloved pet will be shunned, but there will not be any special perks for them. Let’s discuss the differences.
What Types of Pets Are Typically Allowed?
Most apartment communities will accept dogs and cats, as well as other small pets like birds and fish. (Note that there may be floor and weight restrictions for full-scale aquariums. This means that pets are welcome. Many cities have limits on how many animals one person can have on a premises, so if you host an entire menagerie, you may be out of luck. In addition, some cities and apartment communities may have weight and breed restrictions for dogs. You will need to check with the property manager to ensure that your dog will be accepted. Cats typically aren’t a problem.
Pets-Welcome vs. Pet-Friendly: What’s the Difference?
An apartment that is pet-friendly not only welcomes pets but also offers amenities for them. Some examples include having a dog park on the premises, walking trails, and even dog wash stations. Pet-friendly communities may also have stations on the premises that dispense pet waste bags for cleaning up after dogs. However, there usually is a flip side to this canine hospitality. Both pets-welcome and pet-friendly apartment complexes can be very strict about cleaning up after dogs. In some cases, a dog owner may be required to provide a sample of their pet’s poop so its DNA can be identified. A delinquent pet owner can then be cited, or even evicted, if it can be proven that they are not cleaning up after their dog. Draconian. Perhaps. But this actually happens in many apartment complexes.
Common Rules for Pet Owners in Apartments
Regardless of whether you live in a pets-welcome or pet-friendly apartment community, certain rules will apply. In addition to cleaning up after your dog, you will most likely be required to keep it on a leash. Owners will also be expected to keep noise levels down so their pet will not disturb other residents in their building. Also, pets-welcome and pet-friendly apartment communities will require residents to pay a pet deposit and modest monthly pet rent. This is to cover the property’s costs of repairing any damage caused by pets. So, keep your dog’s and cat’s nails and paws trimmed and discourage behavior such as scratching on the walls and baseboards. Keep your cat’s litterbox clean to discourage unpleasant odors and keep on top of vacuuming pet hair in your apartment. The monthly pet rent also pays for pet amenities if you live in a pet-friendly community.
Now that you know the difference between pets-welcome and pet-friendly apartment communities, you can choose the best fit for your pet. For example, a cat person or bird enthusiast may not care whether or not the apartment complex is pet-friendly, whereas it may be a deal-breaker for a dog owner. Now, you will be armed with the knowledge to find the best fit for you and your beloved pet and live peacefully among other animal lovers.
Explore a Vision Community Apartment
At Vision Communities, we strive to create a community that you and your pet will be proud to call home. Our property management staff is here to manage all of the details that makes this a great place to live. Our spacious studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floor plans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC.
Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live.