Adopting a pet can really make a family feel fulfilled. However, having a pet narrows your choices when renting. This makes finding your new home a bit more challenging. Many single-family rental properties in Lawrenceville may seem like it would be the best place for a furry family member to call home. However, landlords and/or property owners may not be ecstatic about the idea of having animals on their property.
Tales about irresponsible tenants are plentiful but they do not represent the whole group. But because of the mistakes of a few, everybody suffers. Now, otherwise responsible pet-owning tenants have to be treated like the irresponsible ones. With this resistance to pets in rental homes, it means that there are things you have to strongly consider before deciding to adopt. By going through these seven questions, you will better see how adopting a pet will impact every facet of your life.
1. Does your landlord and/or lease allow pets? If so, what are the restrictions?
As a tenant, the most important question to ask yourself, before entertaining the idea of adopting a pet, is whether or not you can even bring your pet home. There are landlords that are open to allowing pets, but there are also those that have strictly banned all animals from the premises. Go through your lease again; most leases will clearly state which way your particular landlord leans. If your lease allows pets, make sure to read it carefully, paying to any details that may indicate restrictions on animal type, size, breed, and so on. You may need to check local regulations for rules about keeping animals in your particular neighborhood. If things aren’t very clear, ask for clarification. Because the penalties can be quite heavy if you get caught with an unauthorized pet.
2. Do you or anyone living in your rental home have allergies?
Millions of pet owners find out that they are allergic to their own pet a little bit too late. As reported by the AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy Asthma, and Immunology), pet dander, saliva, and urine can all trigger allergic reactions and even aggravate asthma symptoms. If you or anyone living with you has allergies or other respiratory issues, a pet can seriously impact your or their health. If this happens, you would need specialized treatment for your symptoms, and this can make the financial burden of pet ownership greater.
3. Do you have a yard or enough space for a pet?
Pets need space to play, explore, and live their lives. And it doesn’t matter if the pet you chose is very small or very large. Before adopting a pet, find out if the rental home can be adjusted to provide enough space so your pet can have a healthy life with lots of room to run around in. For instance, dogs need access to a safe, secure yard (or another specified area) to do their business. Generally speaking, the bigger the pet, the more space you’ll need.
4. Are you home enough to care for it?
When it comes to adopting a pet, we usually like looking at the benefits it brings us, but we rarely consider the responsibility it demands. If doing your job or other commitments means staying out of the house for long hours or having to travel a lot, adopting a pet may not be a good idea. Pets require constant care and attention, so if they spend a harmful amount of time alone, they might develop unhealthy and destructive habits. A bored or anxious animal can destroy furniture, bedding, and other household items, and dogs may become a nuisance by barking excessively. The only way to correct this problem is to spend time interacting with your pet, encouraging them to connect with you both mentally and physically.
5. Do you have a backup plan for when life gets busy?
Traveling after adopting a pet can really be difficult. If you need to plan a trip because of something that comes up, and you have to stay out of the house for a while, you really need to have a backup plan for animal care. There really aren’t that many places that allow animals. On top of that issue, traveling with your pet also increases their anxiety and makes them feel scared. This means that in the event of an emergency, you must have backup care for your pet. This could be a friend or a family member or a pet care service.
6. Are you financially ready for a pet?
The cost of owning a pet doesn’t end with the adoption fees. Most animals require regular medical attention and a lot of them should also have routine grooming. If your animal gets sick or is injured, you’ll need to get him emergency medical care. The funds to pay for that can easily run into thousands of dollars for just one incident. There is another financial aspect to owning a pet, and it linked directly to your status as a tenant. Many landlords charge additional fees and/or higher rent for tenants who want to keep a pet on the property. But these don’t begin to cover the extra costs you may incur from the potential property damage your pet might cause, and you may have to pay these out of your own pocket. This is why your financial situation is one of the most important matters to consider. You need to be financially ready to adopt a pet before actually doing it.
7. Are you prepared to care for your pet for the next 5 to 10 years (or more)?
A lot of pets live long and healthy lives. This means that pet owners should plan to have them for 5 to 10 years or even longer, and should take this into consideration if they rent a home. Spend some time to think about your plans and goals, then think about how adopting a pet may affect those plans. When you do this, you can better decide whether or not taking in a pet is a smart choice.
In Conclusion
If you went through each of the seven questions and are ready to adopt a pet, there’s still one more thing you should do. Communicate with your landlord or Lawrenceville property manager so they get updated with your plans and can make whatever adjustments are needed to the terms of your lease.
Are you interested in renting a home from Real Property Management Executives Greater Atlanta? A lot of our rental properties allow pets. Browse our rental listings and give us a ring at 678-765-8383 to schedule a showing.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
