by Rachel Grusin

Created on: July 23, 2009   Last Updated: July 24, 2009

It is often a preconceived notion amongst renters and prospective tenants on their harrowing search to find the perfect place, that having pets will cast an undying shadow that haunts them and puts a big fat stamp on every application screaming Don't rent to me, I have animals. The problem doesn't lie in the fact that there are pets, but really in the negative past experience that most landlords have had regarding the human not taking active responsibility for their pets, resulting in the animal behaving in a way that causes an adverse impact on the relationship between the tenant and the landlord. Pets do not have any inclination whatsoever as to how their behavior and even mere presence can effect where we the human, the master lives. In order to build a confidence in your landlord it is imperative that actions speak louder than words. Every landlord has heard the famous utterances of the desperate but overly confident potential lessee, Oh, my dog would never do thatI cut my cat's claws regularly, yet without even the slightest flinch has no problem making up their mind and sticking to it No Pets!

When on the hunt for a place that does allow pets, the need to be more attentive as to how your pet behaves may vary depending on the statutes of the lease. If the property is an apartment it is not wise by any means to even attempt to rent it if your pet is a large dog. What a lot of people don't seem to understand is that generally there are different properties that are equipped to accommodate different types and sizes of pets. For example most one to two bedroom apartment complexes will only allow pets up to a certain weight, such as small dogs up to twenty pounds.

Finding places to live that allow pets largely depends on the amount of compromise the pet owner is willing to make. If an individual owns a large golden retriever and cannot afford a place with a yard, but only has an income to rent a one bedroom apartment, the individual needs to reconsider the likelihood of its beloved pet's happiness and well being, and whether or not the owner's lifestyle can properly afford the proper accommodations that are equally beneficial to both pet and owner. It is the harsh reality of being a pet owner and not a home owner but it is the reality.

I grew up never being allowed to have dogs or cats, but we eventually got a kitten and established a good track record with the landlord. Mind you we were always conscious of where the cat was and if there was ever

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