|
|
|
Pets And Housing
The Humane Society has the Following tips to help you show prospective
Landlords that you are a Responsible Pet Owner.
- Make your request to have a pet to the individual or group
who has the ultimate authority to grant you permission. Usually
this will be the owner of the house or apartment. The owner
may, however, delegate the decision to a property manager or
resident manager. Check to see if, in addition to your own landlord's
approval, you must also submit a written request to the building's
board of directors or a pet committee.
- Invite the landlord to "interview" your freshly groomed,
well-behaved pet, possibly at your current residence, to show
that your pet has not caused any damage.
- Provide your landlord with letters of reference from previous
landlords, condominium associations, neighbors, obedience instructors,
veterinarians, or anyone else who can attest to your pet's good
behavior and your own conscientiousness.
- Ask your landlord if his or her no-pets policy is a result
of a negative experience with a previous tenant. By addressing
up front your landlords prior experience you will gain insight
into how to best present your won request. Consideration of
your landlord's position will encourage him or her to be more
open to yours.
- Responsible pet owners take good care of their pet's health.
Offer copies of health certificates showing that your pet's
vaccinations are up-to-date, and maintain an active flea and
tick control program.
- Have your pet spayed or neutered. A 'fixed' pet is less likely
to create a nuisance.
- Offer to sign a pet addendum to your rental agreement that
makes you responsible for possible damage to property, injury
to others, or any pest infestation caused by your pet.
- Let the Landlord know that you share his or her concern about
cleanliness. point out that your pet is house-trained or litter-
trained. Emphasize that you will always clean up after your
dog out doors and make sure that you do so.
- Let the land lord know that you keep you cat inside and your
dog under control at all times and that you understand the health
and safety benefits of doing so.
- If you are seeing a rental unit in a condominium, request
a copy of the building's house rules pertaining to pets. Let
the landlord know that you will abide by rules set for the
broader community and respect the concerns of residents who
do not own pets.
- Once you obtain permission to have a pet be sure to get it
in writing if your lease has a "no-pets" clause in it, simply
getting verbal permission is not enough. the "no- pets" clause
should be crossed out of the lease before you sign it and be
sure it's crossed out on the landlord's copy too.
- Invite the landlord to check on the pet after you move in,
to make sure the pet is adjusting to his new home.
|
|
