Finding a rental apartment isn’t always easy, with potentially limited inventory and tough competition. Pet owners may face increased challenges, as not every building is pet-friendly, so finding a unit that’s a good fit may take longer than expected. Here’s what pet owners need to know when searching for a new rental unit.
Choosing the right rental
Pet owners searching for a rental have different priorities than those who don’t. When searching on major rental websites, you should turn on the pet-friendly filter to quickly see what’s available.
To help accommodate your pet, it’s wise to search for a rental unit near green space. If there’s an off-leash park, that’s even better, as it’ll allow your furry friend to roam free. Seeing if there’s a nearby vet can also be helpful in case there’s an emergency.
It’s worth noting that most potential landlords who say “no pets” usually refer to dogs and cats. If you have a bird, fish, or iguana, they may still be open to your application.
The rules are complicated
When searching for a rental, you may see ads saying “no pets.” Landlords are legally allowed to advertise this as it’s a personal preference. In addition, landlords are allowed to ask you if you own a pet on the application form.
While it may feel like discrimination, landlords can deny you the rental because you own a pet. Owning a pet does not fall under human rights violations, and no laws prevent landlords from denying pets. The exception is service animals since they’re required for someone with a disability.
Interestingly, landlords can’t include a “no pet” clause in the rental agreement under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act. This may seem contradictory to the no pets preference, but it’s legal as they haven’t entered into a rental agreement with a tenant yet.
Pay attention to condo bylaws
Even if a potential landlord advertises a pet-friendly rental building, you still need to consider any bylaws that are in place. For example, condominium corporations can make rules prohibiting pets of a certain size and breed. They can also set a limit to the number of pets you’re allowed to have.
Besides the size and breed rule, they could also have other rules in place, such as pet owners must carry their pets in the elevator. This rule could be difficult if you have two pets or mobility issues. They’re legally allowed to do this, and your landlord might be forced to evict you if you break the rules.
Consider increasing your chances
If you’re worried that your pet will prevent you from getting your dream rental, you could try increasing your chances with some work. Offering the landlord a pet deposit or additional rent could sway their decision. Alternatively, you could tell the landlord that you’re willing to make any damage caused by your pet your responsibility in the rental agreement.
As weird as it sounds, it may also be worth putting together a pet resume. In it, you would provide your landlord with a photo of your pet and relevant information such as the breed, size, and gender. Even getting references from people who have interacted with your pet could help.
Don’t forget about the other things
While searching for a pet-friendly apartment, renters sometimes forget about other logistics they must consider. For example, you’ll need to set up or port over your internet. You may also need to set up a hydro account for direct billing.
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Final thoughts
Pet owners will have to deal with additional logistics compared to those who don’t have a pet. The best thing to do is to try and make things as easy as possible for yourself by only searching for pet-friendly rentals. When you do come across something that looks good for you, make sure you investigate further to ensure there are no bylaws that may affect your pet.
Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog
Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. As a completely self-taught, do-it-yourself investor with no formal training, he makes money easy to understand for all Canadians. His specialties include personal finance, budget travel, millennial money, credit cards, and trending destinations.