Renting an apartment in the city has unique challenges, especially for pet owners. In the city, you may find size, weight, and breed restrictions in many communities. Whether you currently have a pet or want to get one in the future, researching pet policies should be the first step when looking for places to rent.
Learn more about city apartment living with pets to create a happy home for you and your furry family.
What Animals Are Allowed in Apartments?
The types of animals allowed in apartments depend on the leasing policy and landlord.
Common pets accepted typically include domesticated animals like:
• Cats
• Dogs
• Ferrets
• Fish
• Hamsters
• Parakeets
• Rabbits
Renters with service or emotional support animals are also usually allowed, with some exceptions, such as housing types.
City Apartment Living with Pets: Finding & Creating a Happy Home for Your Furry Family
Whether you’re moving into an apartment or bringing home a new pet, having a plan in place can make the process smoother for you and your landlord. Here’s everything you can do to prepare before and after moving in with animals.
Adopt an Apartment-Friendly Pet if Possible
If it’s possible, adopt smaller species before moving into a new apartment. As a city renter, having an apartment-friendly pet is practical due to the limited space. It can also reduce your monthly pet fees, as some lease policies determine the amounts by weight.
Search for Pet-Friendly Apartments
It’s much easier to find pet-friendly apartments from the start than to ask for permission and get possibly denied. Apartment listing sites nowadays have search filters you can use to browse properties that only allow pets. Many landlords offer pet-friendly amenities, like resident-exclusive dog parks, walking paths, and waste cleanup stations.
Additionally, look for properties with ample indoor or outdoor space if you have larger breeds. While this may be challenging in the city, it may be worth investing in to fulfill your pet’s needs.
You can also utilize the knowledge of your leasing and management team. The best part of living in a pet-friendly apartment is that you’re now part of a community of furry neighbors! The staff should be able to recommend nearby veterinarians, dog walkers, pet boutiques, and more.
Carefully Read the Lease’s Pet Policy
Pet rules in apartments will vary by the landlord and lease. That’s why reading an apartment’s pet policy carefully before you sign a lease is crucial. Apartment pet policies may include weight or breed restrictions, number of pet limitations, and additional monthly fees separate from rent.
Additional pet policies to look for in apartment leases include:
• Liability costs from pet-related damages
• Renter’s insurance requirements for pets
• Pet meetings before moving in
• Documentation proof of up-to-date vaccinations
• No pets allowed
Make Your Apartment Pet-Friendly Before Moving In
As you would baby-proof your place before they come home for the first time, you should also pet-proof your apartment before moving in.
Make your apartment pet-friendly with the following:
• Locking lower kitchen cabinets with chemical based-cleaners
• Storing sharp, fragile items like glassware and ceramics in higher areas
• Closing bathroom doors to prevent your pet from drinking hazardous toilet water due to cleaners it may contain
• Hiding reachable wires in enclosed organizers and trash bins inside cabinets
• These preventative steps not only prevent your furry friends from damaging your home but also to themselves.
Invest in Renter’s Insurance
Getting renter’s insurance is worth the investment if you live or plan on moving into a city apartment with a pet. It’s a policy that protects your personal property in a rented apartment, condo, or home from unexpected issues like theft, fires, and water-related damage.
The total coverage you receive is determined by the plan you choose, like losses in value up to $20,000 in personal property damage. Depending on your policy, it may extend pet liability coverage to household domestic cats and dogs with possible breed and weight restrictions. You may need to buy a separate pet liability policy if your carrier won’t amend it for your pet.
Renter’s insurance doesn’t include pet-related damages to your apartment, like chewed carpet, floor stains, and holes in the wall. It also doesn’t cover bodily injury liability to yourself, your family, and roommates, like dog bites. However, your insurer may offer coverage if your pet damages someone else’s property and bites someone you don’t live with or are related to.
City apartment living with pets often means you’ll share the same rental units, buildings, or hallways. Living this close to your neighbors puts you at greater risk of accidental pet damage. If your dog digs major holes in your neighbor’s backyard or severely scratches their door jumping on it, your policy may pay out to repair these damages.
Buy Pet Insurance
Pet insurance not only covers costs related to their healthcare, but it’s also a practical preventative measure for renters. These policies typically cover flea and tick vaccinations to prevent pest infestations from spreading into the apartment and to your neighbors. Additionally, microchipping is usually covered if your pet accidentally runs away, which is a must in the city.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner & Renter
These tips about apartment living with pets mean nothing without being a responsible owner and renter. If you’re keeping a dog in an apartment while at work, ensure they’ve been walked enough to prevent potential damage caused by separation anxiety, boredom, and household accidents. Whether it’s you or a dog walker, you’re responsible for fulfilling your pet’s needs.
As a city renter, you should also help your pet get used to loud noise before moving in. Introduce your pet to outdoor sounds slowly with recordings of car horns/alarms and thunderstorms to help them become acclimated in a city apartment. You can also train them with treats as positive reinforcement to redirect their fear response from these noises.
Lastly, while this may seem obvious, make timely repairs for minor accidental pet damage. Hiring carpet cleaning services for urine stains and re-painting chipped areas of your walls can prevent them from becoming major issues or permanently damaged.
Pet-Friendly Chicago Apartment Living: Rent the Pawfect Place Today
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice finding your dream apartment because of your pet. At TLC Management, we believe our pets are part of the family. We have more than 30 pet-friendly communities within and around Chicago, so finding the right space for you and your pet has never been easier.
Our apartments have furry-friendly amenities, including:
• Private community bark parks with agility equipment
• Waterfront walking paths
• Large balconies and patios
• Ready to find the pawfect place to rent in the Windy City?
Browse our Chicago listings or contact us at info@chicagorentals.com to help you find a pet-friendly city apartment today!
