Adopting a pet can really bring happiness to a home. However, if you have a pet, there are additional things you have to think about when you’re renting. For instance, how it gets more challenging to find your new home. A lot of single-family rental properties in Cypress may have the facilities that are just right for a furry family member. However, landlords and/or property owners may not be thrilled by the thought of 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. With the challenges you may face, it pays to consider some things before deciding to adopt and bring a pet into a rental home. By answering these seven questions, you will be able to get a better sense of how your life will be affected when you adopt a pet.
1. Does your landlord and/or lease allow pets? If so, what are the restrictions?
As a tenant, the primary question you need to have answered is whether or not you can bring the pet you plan on adopting back home with you. 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 read it carefully to see if there are any restrictions on animal type, size, breed, etc. You may also need to verify with local regulations for rules about keeping animals in your particular neighborhood. If you still have questions, make sure to ask them. 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 discover that they’re allergic to their own pet after adopting. 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 anyone that lives in your rental home suffers allergies or other respiratory issues, bringing in a pet into your living space may seriously impact your or their health. If this were to happen, you would have to get specialized treatment for your symptoms, and this could make the financial burden of pet ownership bigger.
3. Do you have a yard or enough space for a pet?
Pets need space to play, explore, and live their lives. This is something you need to consider no matter the size— your pet may 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. For example, dogs 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?
When talking about adopting a pet, we usually focus on the good things and we tune out the responsibilities. If you have a job or other commitments that require you to travel or stay out of the house for long periods of time, adopting a pet may not be a good idea. If pets are left on their own repeatedly and for long periods of time, they won’t be able to get the constant care and attention that they require. This would lead to them developing 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 very demanding. If you need to plan a trip to fulfill an obligation or grab an opportunity, you can’t just leave your pet home alone. You’ll need to 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. So, in the event of an emergency, you will need to have prepared backup care for your pet. This can be in the form of a friend or family member or even a pet care service. The important thing is that you get someone taking care of your pet.
6. Are you financially ready for a pet?
The cost of owning a pet doesn’t end with the adoption fees. Practically all animals need regular medical attention and for a lot of them, routine grooming is also required. 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 your fiscal status is one of the more important things to consider. You have to be financially ready to adopt a pet before going through with it.
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 a home should make sure they can handle it for the next 5 to 10 years or even longer, depending on the type of animal. 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 answered each of the seven questions above and think you’re ready to adopt a pet, there’s one last thing you still have to do. Communicate with your landlord or Cypress property manager to make sure they know your plans and can make the needed adjustments to the terms of your lease.
Are you interested in renting a home from Real Property Management Republic? We have many rental properties that allow pets. Browse our rental listings and give us a call at 281-362-5001 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.
