How to Rent with a Dog

My husband and I have always managed to find a 'dog friendly' place no matter where we have lived. The first rule of thumb...DO NOT tell the potential landlord about your dog(s) until:

1. You have met the landlord and been able to demonstrate to him/her that you are a nice person with a responsible job and ability to pay rent

2. The landlord expresses interest in you as a tenant and wants to rent to you AND

3. He/she either asks about pets OR you see a pet clause in the lease

By waiting to tell the landlord about your dog you allow the landlord to get to know you (i. e: they don't just write you off immediately because they know you have a dog) AND you have a better chance to 'make your case.' I have persuaded landlords to rent to me (even when they have had a 'strict NO DOGS' rule) by doing the following:

1. Offer to pay an additional security deposit.

2. Suggest they make an inspection within the first month to see how well I take care of the dog(s) and verify that there is no damage.  NOTE:  I have never had a landlord take me up on this offer... but the fact that I was willing to allow this demonstrated my confidence that my dog was not going to damage the property AND I had nothing to hide from the landlord.

3. Offer to let them meet my dog(s).

4. Provide written recommendations from previous landlords.

5. Show them a 'pet resume' that includes any obedience certificates or proof that my dog has passed obedience classes...I include things like: 'good with children'.

6. Ensure that I will not leave the dog unattended outside where he/she could bark or dig

Anything positive about your dog should be highlighted (for example, we told our current landlord that our dog was a Search and Rescue dog; also that in the summer my husband was home with her and in the winter she went to work with me so therefore she was rarely left alone during the day).

Do not stress the breed.  I don't tell landlords that I own a German Shepherd unless they specifically ask the breed (for example, I usually say: "I have a dog who is obedience trained. I can provide recommendations from previous landlords and am willing to pay you an additional security deposit.")  Unfortunately,  German Shepherds have an undeserved, negative reputation with most landlords.

Finally, when you leave a place to move to a new rental, ask your current landlord to write you a recommendation and ask if he/she would be willing to give a verbal recommendation for you and your dog. I keep these on file so that I can provide a list to the new landlord... the more of these you have, the better your chances.

Don't get discouraged... you will eventually find a reasonable person who will rent to you. Good luck!

Contributed by Wendy Simoes (SFBAGS Rescue volunteer)