Most people today have a pet of some sort, whether it is a dog, cat, sometime even both. Recently I even had a client that had groundhogs! The question is, are apartments really pet-friendly? The answer is yes and no. Certain apartments are definitely more pet friendly than others. Some properties for example have added pet parks where owners can take their pets off their leashes and run around and play with other pets, while other properties in addition to a pet park even have pet washing stations so you don’t have to wrestle with your pet in your own bathtub or kitchen sink. Most communities have rules about how many pets you can have in each unit, with two typically being the maximum, but there are a couple exceptions to this. Most communities also have rules about what types of dog breeds are allowed at the property, and typically will not allow aggressive breeds, but there are exceptions to this rule too. Some properties have gone to a straight weight limit on dogs, but have lifted the breed restriction rules. Recently I toured a high rise downtown that had a pet area on the 9th floor with a filtration system so your pet could use do its business on some grass-like turf, instead of you having to walk him outside late at night, which is an awesome safety feature that many people are thrilled with. There are even properties that have private elevators specifically for people with pets. If you are a pet owner, be aware though that many properties have started doing DNA testing on your pets when you move in, so that in the event you are walking your pet and it doesn’t make it outside, and you fail to clean it up, the management team will test it to see which pet it belonged to and charge the owner with a pretty hefty fine. Because of this new test, the pet deposits have started getting much higher now, at around $600 per pet. Some places even charge an additional pet rent on top of your normal rent, so it can start to add up. When you work with an apartment locator, he/she can research the pet policies of each property for you, and find you something that will work with your situation. If you would like to set up a time to start touring some places, give us a call at 469-222-2693 and we can schedule an appointment.
