How to Convince Your Landlord to Say Yes to Pets

Follow these steps when trying to convince your landlord to say “yes” to your pet.

1. Speak with your landlord

   Your first step is to speak with your current or prospective property owner about your wanting to get a pet. If you are looking to rent the property and have no prior relationship with the property owner, try appealing to the landlord’s pragmatic side by providing documentation about the pet, in the form of a pet resume (discussed below). Just as you are looking for a new home, your property owner is looking for a great renter to rent and take good care of the property.
   
   If you are already a renter but want to bring a pet into your home, use your strong professional relationship to help convince your property owner to make an exception for you. Especially if you have been an outstanding renter, always paid your rent on time, and have never had any issues, your strong record could work in your favor. A good property owner knows the value of a great renter and will often go out of their way to keep good renters.

2. Create a pet resume

   Yes, your pet needs a resume too. By providing documentation about the pet, you help give the landlord a larger picture of your pet and prove your responsibility and organizational skills, which may work to convince a landlord to allow you to have a pet. Your pet’s resume should include:
   
   Their name
   Their age
   Their breed
   Their weight or size
   Any training they received
   Spay or neuter certificates
   Vaccinations
   A letter of recommendation from your current or previous landlord
   
   If you can manage to get a letter of recommendation from a previous property owner attesting to your pet’s great behavior and stating that no damage was done to the space, it could help convince your prospective landlord to make an exception.

3. Introduce your pet to the property owner

   Sometimes all it takes is a face-to-face meeting for a property owner to be flexible with a no-pets rule. Some property owners make exceptions for pets under a certain size or weight, or even for certain breeds. Asking the property owner to meet with you and your pet in person shows your seriousness about the property as well as the fact that you want to bring your pet into your home with you.
   
   If you have a well-behaved pet, proving that to your property owner could be all that is needed to convince your property owner to allow you to have a pet. The property owner may also be willing to waive the rule for you if they connect with your pet or see that your pet is kind and harmless

4. Make sure your pet is house trained

   Most property owners ban pets in their rental properties because of fear of damage. If your pet is house-trained, you may be able to convince your landlord to make an exception for you. Crate training your pet is an advantage because it will certainly reduce the chances of accidents or anxiety-related damage occurring while you are out of the house. Let the property manager know you are working on house training your pet by showing you have all the equipment and tools.

5. Identify companion animals

   If you have or will have a companion animal for a disability, by law, your landlord must allow you to have an animal live with you. Legally, a property owner must accommodate renters whose cats and dogs serve as companion animals.

6. Try negotiating

   Finally, your property owner may be willing to allow you to have a pet if you can make it beneficial for them. Offer to put down a larger deposit, pay a little extra each month on your rent, or show proof of pet insurance as part of your renter’s insurance. Be flexible and show your property owner you understand their concerns and that you are willing to provide against any damages potentially caused by your pet.