RENTING WITH DOGS

BY JOE SCHUTT, REALTOR® Unit Realty Group

Are you thinking about renting in Boston with your fur kid? You’re not alone!

While Boston is becoming increasingly dog-friendly, finding a pet-friendly apartment in Boston is often easier said than done. Whether it is low inventory, high prices, or landlords/agents who just don’t know how wonderful tenants with dogs are, finding that rental can be tough. However, there are a few tips and tricks to help you find the perfect place for you and your pup.

As a REALTOR®, my first piece of advice is to put together your doggie resumé. This resumé will include, but not limited to: references from your trainer, doggie daycare, a previous landlord, proof of vaccinations, a photo of your dog, a description of the breed and maybe even a printout of the breed standard showing temperament. We have a list of items on our blog to help you assemble a complete package. Remember, not everyone knows how awesome dogs are, so sometimes you have to help them understand how amazing your fur kid is. You may have to sell this to the agent as well as the landlord by educating them on dogs. And you can do this with your doggie resumé.

When looking at properties online, most will say they are not pet friendly, but in my experience, that is because the landlord and listing agent never really had a discussion around it since it can be relatively easy to rent properties in the Boston area, so why bother, just say no. Well, the longer that property sits on the market, for whatever reason, why not check in and see if the landlord is willing to accept a pet.

You can also check out a few pet-friendly apartment complexes. These complexes usually have more lenient pet policies and often have on-site amenities such as dog parks and wash stations. But remember, when you start adding extras, your pricing will increase, sometimes significantly. And these buildings aren’t always available in an area you may want to live in.

Do you know the difference between pet deposits, pet fees, and pet rent?

It’s important to be honest, and upfront about your pet. It’s also important to be prepared to pay a pet deposit. This is usually a one-time fee ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Additionally, many landlords require renters to pay pet rent each month. This fee helps cover any pet-related damages that may occur during your stay. In Massachusetts, this extra charge is illegal. The problem is, if you refuse to pay the pet fee, a landlord may refuse to allow you to move in. And unfortunately, pets are not a protected class. I am not going to go into detail here, but service dogs fall into a completely different category and therapy dogs aren’t necessarily covered under the law. Do your research.

Are you looking to possibly get a pet in the future? You will want to make sure your apartment will accommodate this request. It does not hurt to ask upfront. Or make sure the apartment is pet friendly before renting. Trying to break your lease because you got a dog after signing can quite possibly be very expensive.

Another thing to consider is the breed of your dog in regard to insur- ance. Not all insurance companies will write policies for landlords or condo complexes based on certain “high-risk” breeds. In the past, we have gone the extra mile for our tenant and asked for the condo’s master insurance company’s information to check the breed restriction list. At the end of the day, our due diligence helped, and our rental client was able to rent the apartment in a condo complex.

Finally, ensure the apartment you’re considering is a good fit for your pup. Look for apartments with plenty of open space for your pup to play, and make sure the area is safe and has plenty of grass and trees. Additionally, research the local dog parks and other dog-friendly locations. Renting in Boston with your pup doesn’t have to be difficult. With some research and preparation, you can find the perfect pet-friendly apartment and ensure you and your pup have a happy home.

Definitely check out Unit Realty Group’s dog-friendly rentals page of for more information about petfriendly buildings, renting with dogs, the doggie resumé and rentals and sales available around dog parks. ■