Adopting a pet can really bring happiness to a home. But if you’re renting, having a pet can make finding your new home a bit more challenging. You may see some single-family rental properties in Winter Garden that you’d think would be perfect for a furry family member. However, landlords and/or property owners may not like the notion of having animals on their property.
There are plentiful stories about irresponsible tenants and the fault of these give the otherwise responsible pet-owning tenants a bad reputation. This is a case of the fault of the few affecting everyone. With the challenges that pets in rental homes raise, you may want to consider a few things before making the decision to adopt. Asking yourself these seven questions will show you the extent of how adopting a pet will affect your life.
1. Does your landlord and/or lease allow pets? If so, what are the restrictions?
As a tenant, the primary question to ask before adopting a pet is whether or not you can even bring your pet home. Some landlords are open to the idea of allowing pets, while other landlords have strictly banned all animals from the premises. Take a look at your lease again; most leases will clearly state which way your particular landlord leans. If your lease allows pets, then be sure to read the details of the lease carefully. There may be restrictions on animal type, size, breed, and so on. You may also need to verify with local regulations for rules about keeping animals in your particular neighborhood. If you have any unanswered questions, don’t be afraid to ask. Because if you ever get caught with an unauthorized pet, the penalties can be quite strict.
2. Do you or anyone living in your rental home have allergies?
Millions of pet owners realize a little too late that they are allergic to their own pet. The AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy Asthma, and Immunology) states that pet dander, saliva, and urine can all trigger allergic reactions and even aggravate asthma symptoms. If you or someone else in your rental home has allergies or other respiratory issues, adopting a pet may seriously impact your’s and someone else’s health. Then you’d need to get specialized treatment for your symptoms which can increase the financial burden of pet ownership.
3. Do you have a yard or enough space for a pet?
Pets need space to play, explore, and live their lives. This goes regardless of size. Your pet may be very small or very large. Before adopting a pet, think about whether or not your rental home can be adjusted to create enough space for your pet so it can live a healthy life. Take dogs, for instance, they need access to a safe, secure yard (or another identified area) to do their business. Generally speaking, the bigger the pet, the more space you’ll need.
4. Are you home enough to care for it?
We often think of the benefits of adopting a pet but overlook the responsibilities. If your job or other commitments take you away from home for long hours or demands that you travel a lot, adopting a pet may not be a good idea. Pets require constant care and attention, so if they were to be left alone too much, they may develop unhealthy and destructive habits. A bored or anxious animal can destroy furniture, bedding, and other household items, and dogs may become a nuisance by barking excessively. The only way to remedy their condition is for you to spend time interacting with your pet. This will help them engage with you mentally and physically.
5. Do you have a backup plan for when life gets busy?
Traveling after adopting a pet can be quite a challenge. If something comes up that requires you to plan a trip that takes you away from home for a long time, you’ll need to have a backup plan for animal care in place. There aren’t many places that would welcome animals. Besides, traveling with your pet can scare them and make them anxious. This means that in the event of an emergency, you’ll need to make use of backup care for your pet. This can mean calling on a friend or family member to help you out or calling a pet care service to do the job.
6. Are you financially ready for a pet?
The cost of owning a pet doesn’t end with the adoption fees. Animals need regular medical attention and some of them also need routine grooming. Animals sometimes get sick or injured and you’ll need to prepare for that. That means saving up funds to pay for emergency medical care which can easily run into thousands of dollars for just one incident. There is also a financial aspect of owning a pet that relates directly to your status as a tenant. Many landlords charge additional fees and/or higher rent for tenants who want to keep a pet on the property. But these extra costs don’t even take to account the potential property damage your pet might cause. You may have to pay for these damages out of your pocket. This is why you need to make sure you’re financially ready to adopt a pet. This is probably one of the most important things to consider.
7. Are you prepared to care for your pet for the next 5 to 10 years (or more)?
Several pets have long and healthy lives. This means that pet owners who rent should plan to have them for the next 5 to 10 years or even longer. Consider your future and the plans you have and see if having a pet would change anything. Doing this would give you a better sense of whether or not adopting a pet is the right choice. Who knows, maybe a pet is what you need to see your future plans come true.
In Conclusion
If you’ve answered the seven questions and are ready to go and adopt a pet, there’s still one last thing you need to do. Communicate with your landlord or Winter Garden property manager so they can adjust the terms of your lease to accommodate your new pet.
Are you interested in renting a home from Real Property Management South Orlando? We have a lot of rental properties that allow pets. Browse our rental listings and call us at 407-982-2000 to schedule a showing.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
