Tips to Renting with Cats

While renting with dogs is extremely difficult, cat owners face their own challenges when it comes to finding apartments for rent. Often times, landlords would prefer a dog owner, unfairly believing cats will destroy their property with shedding hair and the smell of the litter boxes. If you’re in the beginning stages of finding an apartment and you own a cat, check out Woodlake Properties’ 6 tips to renting with cats for the most success.

6 Tips to Renting an Apartment with Cats

Be Prepared to Pay More: Renting with cats, or really any pet, usually means payment more for your security deposit and/or an additional fee per pet. When searching for pet-friendly rentals, be aware that the advertised monthly rent will probably be more for you.

Keep your Litter Boxes Clean: One of the concerns for landlords renting to cat parents is the lingering smell of the litter box. To prevent this problem, make sure to scoop the boxes daily. Two times per month the litter should be completely changed and the box cleaned with soap and warm water. Following these tips will keep your cat & landlord happy!

Litter Box Rule of Thumb: Speaking of litter boxes, always practice the plus 1 rule. For as many cats as you have, there should be one litter box each PLUS one more, giving your pet plenty of space and options.

Example: 1 cat = 2 litter boxes. 2 cats = 3 litter boxes.

Grooming: While your cat generally does a great job keeping themselves clean you should regularly brush their hair to prevent buildup in your carpets and vents.

Keep them Entertained: Having plenty of toys and cat furniture around your apartment will keep your cat busy, which is helpful to prevent them from scratching door posts, clawing furniture, etc.

Ask Before you Adopt: If you’re currently a non-pet owning renter but are interested in committing yourself to rescuing a cat, please be responsible and ask your landlord first.

Helpful Tips to Cat Owners who Rent

The most important tip to remember when renting with cats, dogs or any other type of pet is to be honest with your potential landlord. Do not try to hide your pet and risk them finding out and forcing you to either leave your rental or remove the animal. While finding an available pet-friendly rental is difficult, it is not impossible and worth it when you and your pet have a home to call your own!

Tips to Renting with Dogs

Finding an apartment to rent can be a time-consuming and stressful process. Add a dog into your must-have apartment criteria and your search becomes 10x harder. While it is certainly not impossible to find a pet-friendly rental, your options are more limited and you must be patience and keep an open mind throughout the process. There are many things to take into consideration when finding an apartment for you and your pup. Woodlake Properties has come up with our top 5 tips to renting with dogs of any breed in the Philadelphia area.

5 Tips to Renting an Apartment with Dogs

Tip 1: Be honest. Do not try to keep your dog a secret, your landlord will find out and chances are less likely they’ll be open to the idea of letting you or your dog stay. Be honest about your dog with your prospective landlord from the beginning.

Tip 2: Keep your rental mind open. You may have your mind set on a certain building or neighborhood, but renting with a dog means you have to widen your options & keep an open mind. You will have to accept that you might not be able to rent the apartment of your dreams.

Tip 3: Create a resume for your pup. Include the breed, weight, height, age, spay/neutered information, veterinarian’s information and personal hygiene traits. Be creative about including behavioral traits and commands your pup excels at. Add personal references and training background certifications to make sure you’ve highlighted all of the wonderful qualities about your dog.

Tip 4: Ask before you adopt. If you moved into an apartment without a dog, but are now in the market ask your landlord before bringing your new pup home. The last thing you want is to have to give up the dog you’ve already fallen in love with.

Tip 5: Be responsible. If your landlord has accepted your dog you now have to be responsible for all of your dog’s actions. Do not allow your dog to damage the property, keep them from barking at all hours of the day and night, make sure they have plenty of toys for distraction and you’re walking them often. By being a responsible dog owning renter will hopefully get more landlords to change their policies about renting with dogs.

Important Tips for Renters with Dogs

Although it is not impossible to rent an apartment or home with a dog, there are some challenges you’ll face. The most important thing to remember is to keep an open mind and find a space where you and your dog feel comfortable. Woodlake Properties offers many rental options in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Delaware County and New Jersey for renters with and without dogs. Browse through our apartments for rent to see the one, two, even three bedroom options available. If you see an apartment you’re interested in, call the listing’s specific leasing office to schedule a tour. Be sure to verify with the leasing office that the rental is pet-friendly before scheduling a visit.