The good news is that apartment complexes are increasingly understanding the pivotal role pets play in their residents’ lives and accommodating dog owners when it comes to policies – even to the point of putting pet-centric amenities in place. That means finding dog-friendly apartments is easier than ever.
The bad news? There are often restrictions, caveats or fees.
Here are a few things to think about when you’re searching for dog friendly apartments.
Search wisely
Rent. has a filter to help you find the communities that accept dogs. This eliminates the painful discovery that the neighborhood you love most won’t accommodate your best friend. Once you’ve got that first list narrowed down to include only dog friendly apartments, you can filter further based on other requirements you have, or amenities you’d enjoy.
Los Angeles dog-friendly rentals
Prepare to spend a little more
Pets, in most places, are going to cost you. Pet fees, pet deposits and pet rent are all possibilities. In some places, you might need to pay all three. What’s the difference? A pet fee is a non-refundable fee tenants are sometimes charged up front, a one-time charge that simply gets your dog in the door. A pet deposit is a refundable amount that will be returned to you when you move out, provided there is no dog-related damage in your unit upon inspection.
And pet rent? That’s a monthly add-on that will raise the price of your rent. Typically this charge runs $15-50. (Where I live, for example, it’s $30 for one dog, $50 for two.)
Look for dog-friendly amenities & events
Speaking from experience, the dog friendliest amenity any apartment community can have are dog waste-specific trash cans with plastic bags for clean-up. Look around the complex. Are there a lot of them strategically placed throughout the property? This is a great sign. Other great features for dog lovers include dog parks (check to see how clean it is) and walking trails.
Many communities really embrace their dog-owning residents, offering fun events like “yappy hour,” where dogs and their people can show up at the clubhouse or dog park for treats and socialization or even pet pool parties. Ask the management at your prospects to see if they schedule anything similar.
Related: How to meet other dog people
See Also: 10 most popular dog names
