Your pet is an important part of your family. However, just because your dog is considered a part of the family it doesn't mean that a potential landlord will want to treat them like a family member. 

There are many apartments that are off-limits to pets. This can make it difficult for you as a pet owner when you want to rent an apartment. You may find yourself having to go on a long search to find a landlord who is willing to accept you with a pet. 

To make the process easier there are a few things you can do. Here is a guide to finding a pet-friendly apartment.

Go Online

The internet has made it easier for anyone who wants to find an apartment to do so. There are several websites where you can look through the listings and find those that do not accept pets.

This makes it less likely that you will see an apartment that you like and get disappointed that you cannot bring your pets along with you. There are also websites that are specifically geared towards people with pets and only list apartments that are pet friendly.

Try Private Landlords 

When an apartment is managed by a property manager they are much more likely to have stringent rules about who they will and will not accept. This is because they must go by what their employer has told them.

However, when the property is managed by the owner themselves it becomes a lot easier for you to negotiate with them about bringing in a pet.

Offer to Pay a Pet Deposit

One of the main reasons why landlords do not want to rent to people who have pets is because they are afraid that a pet will damage the property in some way. Most landlords are afraid that they will have to deal with scratched furniture and stains in strange places.

 Offering to pay a pet deposit upfront is one way to ease the fear of the landlord. 

Location Matters

While finding a landlord that will accept your pet is the most important thing on your agenda, you also need to consider where the apartment is located. However, you should consider the location of the apartment and its proximity to vital services that you may need.

Make sure that there are several parks within walking distance so that your dog will have ample opportunity for exercise. Find out if there is a good kennel in the area or pet daycare in case you need to leave your pet and go on a trip. 

 Find out if there is a vet nearby. If your dog needs emergency assistance you want to make sure that they can get help as soon as possible. 

Find the Perfect Apartment 

When you have a pet, apartment hunting can be a bit difficult, but not impossible if you look in the right places. Always ensure that you do your research and ask all the right questions to make sure that the apartment you are thinking about renting is right for you and your pet.