Adopting a pet can really bring joy to your life. But there are additional challenges when you’re renting. When you have a pet, finding your new home tends to be more difficult. A lot of single-family rental properties in Waukesha may have the facilities that are just right for a furry family member. However, landlords and/or property owners may not be too happy about having animals on their property.
Accounts of irresponsible tenants are plentiful, and their misbehavior gives otherwise responsible pet-owning tenants a bad reputation. This is sadly an instance where the fault of the few punishes the whole. This resistance to having pets in rental homes means that you may have to take some things into consideration before deciding to adopt. By posing these seven questions, you can get a better idea of how adopting a pet will change every part of your life.
1. Does your landlord and/or lease allow pets? If so, what are the restrictions?
As a tenant, the first and foremost question you have to ask before deciding to adopt a pet is whether or not pets are allowed at your home. Some landlords are fine with it and are open to allowing pets in their property, but there are others who have strictly banned all animals from the premises. Review your lease; most leases will clearly state which way your particular landlord leans. If your lease allows pets, see to it that you read it carefully, and note if there are any restrictions on animal type, size, breed, and so on. You may also need to confirm with local regulations for rules about keeping animals in your particular neighborhood. If things aren’t clear, don’t be afraid to ask. Because getting caught with an unauthorized pet might result in severe penalties.
2. Do you or anyone living in your rental home have allergies?
There are millions of pet owners who find out too late that they’re allergic to their own pet. The AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy Asthma, and Immunology) reports that pet dander, saliva, and urine can all trigger allergic reactions and even aggravate asthma symptoms. If anyone living in your rental home suffers from allergies or other respiratory issues, introducing a pet may seriously impact your or their health. This would require you to get specialized treatment for your symptoms, which can raise 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 is true regardless of size— your pet could be very small or very large. So, before you adopt a pet, find out if you can adjust the rental home in such a way that enough space can be opened up for your pet to live a healthy life. Take dogs as an example, they need access to a safe, secure yard (or another specified 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 usually think only of the benefits of adopting a pet but fail to consider the responsibilities. If your job or other commitments require you to travel a lot or stay out of the house for long periods of time, adopting a pet may not be a good idea. Pets require constant care and attention, so if they are repeatedly left alone for prolonged periods of time, they may begin to 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 reverse this is to spend time interacting with your pet, encouraging them to connect with you mentally and physically.
5. Do you have a backup plan for when life gets busy?
Traveling after adopting a pet can be very demanding. If an opportunity or obligation comes up and you have to plan a trip that demands that you stay away from home for a while, you must have a backup plan for animal care. There are only a few places that welcome you bringing your animals. But even if they have a nice place to stay, traveling with your pet can still scare them and make them feel anxious. This means that in the event of an emergency, you better have already prepared backup care for your pet. This can be as simple as having a friend or family member take care of them or making use of a pet care service.
6. Are you financially ready for a pet?
The cost of owning a pet doesn’t end with the adoption fees. Some animals need routine grooming and virtually all of them need regular medical attention. If your animal gets sick or is injured, you’ll need to take them to the vet as soon as possible. The funds to pay for emergency medical care can easily run into thousands of dollars for just one incident. Then there is another financial aspect of owning a pet that is connected 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 cover the potential property damage your pet might cause, which you would probably have to pay out of your own pocket. This is why being financially ready to adopt a pet is one of the most important matters to consider.
7. Are you prepared to care for your pet for the next 5 to 10 years (or more)?
A number of pets live long and healthy lives. This means that pet owners who rent their place should make sure that they are capable of taking care of the pet for the next 5 to 10 years or even longer. Take a moment to think about your future and what you plan to do, then think about how a pet may change those plans. This can better inform you if taking in a pet is the right decision.
In Conclusion
If you’ve gone through all the questions above and think you’re ready to adopt a pet, there’s still one more thing you have to do. Communicate with your landlord or Waukesha property manager so they would be aware of your plans. This way, they can make the needed changes to the terms of your lease.
Are you interested in renting a home from Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee? We have a number of rental properties that allow pets. Browse our rental listings and give us a call at 262-309-6961 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.
