Adopting a pet can be a rewarding experience. But when you are renting, having a pet makes it more difficult to find a new home. Many single-family rental properties in Denham Springs may seem like it’s the ideal home for a furry family member. However, landlords and/or property owners may not be delighted by the plan to have animals on their property.
Tales of irresponsible tenants are plentiful, and it gives otherwise responsible pet-owning tenants a bad name. This is an instance where the behavior of the few affects the reputation of the whole. With the difficulty you may face to have pets in rental homes, you may want to reconsider your decision to adopt— or at least take a few things under consideration. By answering these seven questions, you will be able to get a better sense of how your life will be affected when you adopt a pet.
1. Does your landlord and/or lease allow pets? If so, what are the restrictions?
As a tenant, the primary question you need to have answered is whether or not you can bring the pet you plan on adopting back home with you. There are a number of landlords that are open to allowing pets into their property, but there are also a number of landlords that have strictly banned all animals from the premises. Re-read your lease; most leases will clearly state which direction your particular landlord leans. If your lease allows pets, then read it carefully to see if there are any restrictions on animal type, size, breed, etc. You may need to find out if there are local regulations for rules about keeping animals in your particular neighborhood. If you still have questions, make sure to ask them. Because if you get caught with an unauthorized pet, you may end up having to deal with some serious penalties.
2. Do you or anyone living in your rental home have allergies?
Millions of pet owners discover that they’re allergic to their own pet after adopting. The AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy Asthma, and Immunology) says that pet dander, saliva, and urine can all trigger allergic reactions and even aggravate asthma symptoms. If a person living in your rental home has allergies or other respiratory issues, adding a pet to your family may seriously impact your or their health. If this were to happen, you would have to get specialized treatment for your symptoms, and this could make the financial burden of pet ownership bigger.
3. Do you have a yard or enough space for a pet?
Pets need space to play, explore, and live their lives. This is something you need to consider no matter the size— your pet may be very small or very large. Before adopting a pet, you have to think about its ability to have a healthy life. You have to check if the rental home can be arranged to have enough space for your pet. For instance, dogs need access to a safe, secure yard (or another assigned 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?
We usually like thinking of the good things we can get from adopting a pet, and we don’t focus on the responsibilities of having one. If your job or other commitments require you to stay out of the house for long hours or demand that you travel a lot, adopting a pet may not be a good idea. If pets are left alone too much and don’t get the constant care and attention they require, they can begin to 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 fix this is to spend time interacting with your pet. This would encourage them to mentally and physically engage with you.
5. Do you have a backup plan for when life gets busy?
Traveling after adopting a pet can really be a challenge. If you plan a trip away from home for a few days, you cannot just leave your pet alone. You’ll need to prepare a backup plan for animal care. There are places that allow you to bring animals with you, but they are very few. Also, traveling with your pet can make them feel really anxious and scared. So, in the event of an emergency, you have to be prepared to call for help. You can have a friend or family member be the backup care for your pet, or if those options aren’t good for you, hire 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. Practically all animals need regular medical attention and for a lot of them, routine grooming is also required. Your animal may get sick or injured, and you’ll need to get yourself ready for that. That means having access to the funds to pay for emergency medical care which can easily run into thousands of dollars for just one incident. Then there is a financial aspect to owning a pet that is directly linked 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. Yet these extra costs do not yet include the potential property damage your pet might cause, which, in all likelihood, you would have to pay out of pocket. This is why your fiscal status is one of the more important things to consider. You have to be financially ready to adopt a pet before going through with it.
7. Are you prepared to care for your pet for the next 5 to 10 years (or more)?
Many kinds of pets live long and healthy lives. This means that pet owners who rent a home should make sure they can handle it for the next 5 to 10 years or even longer, depending on the type of animal. Take some time to think about the future you want and the plans you have, then factor in a pet into that and see how those plans change. Doing this will better inform you if adopting a pet is the right choice.
In Conclusion
If you answered each of the seven questions above and think you’re ready to adopt a pet, there’s one last thing you still have to do. Communicate with your landlord or Denham Springs property manager to make sure they know your plans and can make the needed adjustments to the terms of your lease.
Are you interested in renting a home from Real Property Management Baton Rouge? We have many rental properties that allow pets. Browse our rental listings and contact us at 225-389-6860 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.
