Rental Ruff

Having a pet and renting a property poses challenges. Landlors are often reluctant to allow them—barking, shredded cushions, scratched furniture being some of the reasons. A survey of 3,000 pet-owning tenants by AgentAdvice.com has revealed the extent to which they are prepared to pay to live with their pets.

The survey found that 82 percent of pet owners would be willing to pay an additional fee to keep their furry friend in the rental property with them. The average New York pet-owning renter would be prepared to pay a whopping $6,223 annually to live with their pet.

In New York, 14 percent of pet-owning renters admit to not disclosing this to their landlords (equating to 456,703 illegal pets)—that’s a lot of barking to cough over, or scratched table legs to cover up.

The research also revealed that two thirds thought it was fair for landlords to ask tenants to leave the property if it turned out they had pets which were not permitted. But sadly, the challenge of finding a rental property which allows pets discourages 58 percent of people from getting a pet if they are renters.

1Talk to Your Landlord

tenants who are positive contributors to the rental community.

2Be Flexible

To convince your landlord to allow a pet, it’s important to be flexible with your pet choices. Many landlords have restrictions on the type or size of pets allowed due to noise or potential damage. If your landlord approves a pet with certain restrictions, consider being more selective in your choice of pet. However, if you have a good relationship with your landlord, it’s possible they will make exceptions for a responsible and reliable tenant. So don’t be afraid to have a conversation about bringing in a larger pet.

3Providing Documentation

If you’re looking to move into a new rental property, providing additional documentation can help show your landlord that you’re a responsible pet owner. This may include a letter from your current landlord, vet records, training records, and spay/neuter records. By demonstrating that your pet is well-behaved and non-disruptive, you can alleviate any concerns your landlord may have about potential property damage or disturbance to other renters.

4Offer to Pay More

This center hall Colonial home at 14 Jan Ln. in Woodbury sold for $950,000 on June 16. It features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an entry foyer, formal dining and living rooms and a den with a woodburning fireplace. It has an eat-in-kitchen, gas cooking and heat throughout. The large area in the back of the living room can be used for additional living space. The master suite has one of the full bathrooms. The basement is full and unfinished. The home has an attached two-car garage, an inground sprinkler system and central air conditioning. It is located within the Syosset School District (Baylis Elementary). Taxes are presently without a STAR exemption.

Getting permission to have a pet as a renter can be difficult. Landlords may include a “No Pets” clause in the lease to maintain control over how many pets are in their properties. If you have a good relationship with your landlord and are a responsible tenant, you may be able to persuade them to allow a pet. Providing documentation on your prospective pet’s health history and training plans can strengthen your case. Many landlords will make exceptions for excellent

To convince your landlord to allow a pet, offering to pay extra in the form of a deposit or monthly charge can show that you are committed to being responsible. While some pet-friendly rentals have upfront policies regarding deposits or rent surcharges, it’s possible to convince some landlords who don’t allow pets to make exceptions if you offer to pay extra. Pet deposits can be expensive, so be sure to have the necessary budget before making the offer.

—AgentAdvice.com

Homes shown here represent closed sales, sold by a variety of agencies and are selected for their interest to readers by the Anton Media Group editor. Except where noted, data and photos are provided courtesy of Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc. and Zillow.