AUSTIN, TEXAS-- According to ApartmentAdvisor, an apartment rental search platform, Austin leads the nation in rentals "labeled dog-friendly." A report released today showing the country's largest metro areas where dog-owners are most and least likely to find a rental that will accommodate their pooch. Among Austin's available rentals, 83% are listed as "dog-friendly."
San Antonio comes in second in the nation with 70% of that city's listings allowing dogs. Houston ranked fourth at 63%, with Dallas still falling in the top ten U.S. cities with a dog-friendly rental listing percentage of 60%.
The company studied the availability of pet-friendly rentals in the top fifty most populated metro areas of the United States, analyzing tens of thousands of apartment rental listings. Overall, just under half (49%) of the total units were advertised as "dog-friendly" and only 30% were advertised as "large-dog-friendly." However, some metro areas had a much higher proportion of availability than others.
Among the large metro areas with the lowest proportions of dog-friendly inventory were Washington, D.C., Providence, RI, San Jose, CA, and Boston, MA metro areas.
According to Apartment Advisor:
A surge in dog ownership was a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased dog adoption rates at animal shelters, and many people enjoying the companionship of their new canines while staying socially distant from other humans. But for new dog-owners, finding an apartment that is dog-friendly can be extra challenging since not all property managers welcome pets. A recent survey of urban renters showed that the majority (58%) of dog-owning city dwellers described the process of finding a pet-friendly rental as somewhat or extremely difficult.
Analysts say that while every apartment community has its own specific pet policies, generally smaller properties, and individual owners tend to have more restrictive pet rules. Larger and newer apartment communities tend to be more pet-friendly, as property managers seek to attract a larger pool of prospective residents and increase revenue through pet fees and pet rent. Some newer buildings even offer specific pet amenities including on-site dog parks and community dog wash stations.
Tips for Renting with a Pet
Once dog-owners find their perfect pet-friendly place, ApartmentAdvisor recommends taking the following important steps when signing their lease:
Get your pet agreement in writing
Be sure to review the lease carefully to be sure any "no pet" clause is removed. Ask the owner for a pet addendum that includes all pet fees and pet rent details, and any pet-specific policies that you have discussed. Putting everything in writing will protect you and the property owner from any misunderstandings in the future.
Clarify the pet policies
Ask the property owner to outline specific pet guidelines for the building in writing. Are there public areas of the building that pets are prohibited (such as elevators or patios)? What is the policy on cleaning up after your dog when using outdoor space at your building? Having clear written guidelines on pet policies will not only help you but can also be useful when navigating any issues or concerns that arise with neighbors in the future.
Get renter's insurance
Whether or not you have a pet, renter's insurance is a good idea. If you have a pet, having an insurance policy with liability coverage becomes even more important. Your landlord might even require it if you have a pet. Contact your insurance company to learn more about your liability coverage, and whether it covers you for damages caused by your pet. In some cases, you may want to consider additional pet liability insurance.
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