Dealing with Landlords
Be up front and honest with your landlord. Don’t try to hide the fact that your dog is really a 100 pound Saint Bernard or a 20 foot python. To avoid wasting both your time and a landlords time, give accurate facts about your pet, including their weight and age, and even suggest that the landlord meet your pet. Understand that older, well established pets have a better chance of making the move to your new home.
Inform your landlord about your pets training records. If your landlord is skeptical about a German Shepard, let him know that he is a retired police dog that you have trained your whole career.
Make sure your animal has a secured habitation. For dogs, either crates or baby gates to confine them to one area of the home or apartment are beneficial and ensure your pet is safe from getting into harmful household objects, not to mention, your carpet and furniture will be the way you left it. Other pets should also have secured habitations, such as an aquarium for your snake or a locked cage for your Parrott.
Bring references from a previous landlord to increase your pet’s chances. If the pet has a great rap sheet, you should contact previous landlords who can vouch for your pet’s great performance.
Expect to pay an additional deposit and, in some cases, additional monthly charges. Deposits can be a set fee, regardless of your pet’s size, or it can be calculated by the pound ($10 per pound). Always keep in mind that both your security deposit and pet deposit may not cover damages to the property. You could have $800 in damages and just because you paid a $500 security deposit and a $200 pet deposit ($700) doesn’t mean that you get off the hook from left over charge.