Pet Ownership and Renting: A Growing Problem
Many people rent, though most would prefer to own. In many cities, apartment rentals cost more than mortgages and for much less space. Rentals often come with added challenges such as lack of parking, old appliances, noisy neighbors, extra fees, deposits, and instability.
People with animals face multiple costs: monthly pet rent ($50-$200 per animal), nonrefundable pet fees ($150–$250), and security deposits ($150–$350 per animal). Add in one-animal limits, breed restrictions, and weight limits (no animals over 20 lbs), and affordable, quality housing becomes nearly impossible to find. This leads to people living with their animals in cars or surrendering them to shelters. Once surrendered, most will be euthanized.
For many people, nonhuman animal companions are family. Taking care of an animal can easily cost thousands. Veterinary costs — a simple spay/neuter can cost $300-500. Routine dental surgery on a cat is over $1000. Diagnostics for an animal emergency can easily cost $5000–10,000. For those with only one income, this makes it more challenging.
While landlords and property management companies rarely impose monthly fees for smoking, children, or disruptive behavior, people with animals face constant surcharges despite often being more responsible tenants.
What Landlords and Renters Can Do
Landlords & Property Owners:
- Allow animals on a case-by-case basis
- Require spay/neuter and veterinary records
- Eliminate breed and weight restrictions
- Charge only refundable deposits
- End one-animal policies—destructive damage from separation anxiety rarely occurs in multi-dog households
- If charging pet fees, consider fees for children, smoking, noisy tenants, and multiple tenants
Renters with Animals:
- Seek private landlords and offer vet records upfront
- Offer a larger security deposit
- Be prepared to live in less desirable areas or to pay for higher-end complexes with flexible pet policies
- If restricted by pet limits, only if safe, rotate animals with trusted family or friends
- As a last resort, keep pets discreet and require advance notice for property visits
Landlords, developers, and apartment management companies need to create fair, compassionate, pet-friendly housing policies.
Related Blog Post: Why Dogs and Cats Are Surrendered or Rehomed
© 2017 Alana Stevenson. All Rights Reserved.
