Pet fees are common in rental properties, particularly apartments. When searching for an apartment for rent, it is likely that you will come across this in the properties that are pet-friendly. Although it may seem like a small amount at first, pet fees can add up quickly, which leads many renters with pets to look for ways to reduce or avoid them altogether.
While it is certainly possible to avoid pet fees at apartments, there isn’t one method that works universally for everyone. Some options involve working directly with the landlord, while others depend on the legal status of your pet. In this article, we will go over these options to avoid pet fees at apartments.
Even if these practical approaches may not avoid pet fees for your case, they can at least help reduce them significantly so that they don’t become a major expense.
4 Solutions for How to Avoid Pet Fees at Apartments
As mentioned, there isn’t just one approach you can take to avoid pet fees at apartments. There are several methods that can help you avoid pet fees. Here are four options that can help you accomplish this and keep the pet fees that you would otherwise pay to cover your pet’s expenses.
Negotiate With the Landlord
A straightforward action you can take is to speak directly with the landlord. In some cases, landlords may be open to adjusting or removing certain fees, especially if you can prove to your landlord that your animal is well-behaved and unlikely to cause any damage to the property. While this may not always lead to a full removal of pet fees, it can sometimes reduce the overall amount you pay every month.
However, this approach is more likely to work with independent landlords rather than large apartment complexes. If there’s a building-wide pet fee paid by every pet owner in the property, you likely won’t be able to have it removed for your case.
Create a Pet Resume
A pet resume is one of the best documents you can create for your pet to use in housing situations. A pet resume that highlights your pet’s behavior, training, temperament, and perhaps some of their cute pictures can make a difference. If you have references from previous landlords, you can also add these to strengthen your case for why they shouldn’t charge you pet fees.
Presenting a pet resume essentially informs the landlord that your animal is well-behaved and less likely to cause problems. This can make your landlord feel more comfortable and may influence their decision when it comes to pet fees. Once again, it doesn’t guarantee that fees will be waived, but creating and presenting a pet resume can strengthen your position.
Provide Proof of Renter’s Insurance
If you have a renter’s insurance, it can help reduce landlord concerns. Since they won’t need to worry about paying for the damages your pet may cause, they may be more willing to adjust or waive pet fees. This can make your application more appealing compared to other renters with pets.
However, be sure that your renter’s insurance includes pet coverage. If it doesn’t, there isn’t a point in making a case for why they should remove the pet fees at the apartment you want to rent.
Explore Assistance Animals if You Qualify
Another option is to explore whether you qualify for an assistance animal, such as an emotional support animal (ESA). These animals aren’t considered pets under housing rules and are treated differently in rental situations. Landlords generally must allow them and cannot charge pet fees, deposits, or rents for animals that have an ESA letter.
You can start exploring this as an option by speaking with a licensed mental health professional in your area. It is also possible to get the process started online by working with an online ESA letter provider, such as Emotional Support Animal.
How to Avoid Pet Fees at Apartments That Impose Building-Wide Fees
Some apartment buildings have building-wide policies that restrict animals entirely. In these cases, the landlord essentially has no say in the pet fees. If the apartment you want to rent is a property that requires all pets to pay a fee, the usual methods typically don’t work.
The only option that may allow you to bypass paying pet fees (and even pet restrictions) is to have an assistance animal if you qualify. Because these animals, such as emotional support animals, aren’t classified as pets, housing providers cannot charge pet fees to accommodate them at an apartment.
Avoiding Pet Fees at Apartments the Right Way
Our article covered how to avoid pet fees at apartments by going over some of the most effective methods. These approaches mainly fall under two routes: either negotiating with the landlord or making your pet an assistance animal. Since not everyone qualifies for one, you may need to avoid pet fees through communication and preparation. In this case, make sure that your case is strong before bringing up the removal of pet fees.
