Atlanta Apartments

When you need to move to a rental unit and want to take your animal companion with you, it might be a challenge to find a place that will make both you and your pet happy. The number one reason that people are forced to give up Fluffy or Shadow is because they will be living somewhere the landlord will not allow animals. This is a sad situation for pet and person alike, and can usually be avoided with a little effort.

Pet owners need to understand the reasons landlords are often reluctant to allow pets in their buildings. When people do not pick up after their dogs or keep them quiet, it creates a major headache for the property manager. If renters move out of Atlanta apartments and leave ruined carpets and drapes behind, the owner stands to lose a lot financially. Be sure that you are willing to be a responsible and cooperative renter before deciding to move your pet into an Atlanta apartment, and be prepared to pay an extra deposit.

The Atlanta Apartment Search

The first consideration when finding a pet-friendly Atlanta apartment is to give yourself as much time as possible to look for a new place. Understand that the pool of available rental units is smaller if you want to bring a pet, and keep an eye out for possibilities well in advance. Use resources like your local Humane Society, dog groomer or veterinarian to find a rental. Sometimes landlords will contact these places when they have a vacancy without advertising to the general public, hoping that they will find a responsible pet owner. They are looking for someone that will not abuse the privilege of living with an animal. If you know of any property managers or real estate experts that are animal lovers themselves, see if they can give you some tips on where to look.

If you can show that you will follow the rules, and be considerate of others, you are more likely to be allowed to bring a pet to your new location. Ask for a letter of recommendation from a current landlord stating that your pet has not caused a problem, and bring it with you on your Atlanta apartment search. Be pro-active and bring notes from your vet, groomer or dog sitter which show that you take good care of your pet. Bring a certificate of completion from a dog obedience course. If you regularly take Buddy to a “doggie day care” so that he won’t be home alone for hours on end, bring a letter from the operators, or copies of cancelled checks to the facility, to prove that you are true to your word.

Atlanta Apartment Rental Options

You will probably not be able to persuade the manager of a large complex to change a “no pets allowed” policy. If he lets you have a pet, he will most likely be flooded with requests from other tenants to do likewise. Therefore, it makes the most sense to focus your search on places that allow at least some pets, such as “cats only” or “dogs less than 20 pounds.” In these situations you have a good chance of acquiring a lease even if your companion does not quite fit the guidelines

Your best option when looking for a new place to live with Rover or Princess may be to focus on small properties that are managed by the owners, themselves. That way you will be sure of speaking with the person who has the ultimate authority to make the decision. It should be much easier to convince a landlord that you will be responsible if he or she doesn’t have to worry about negative reactions from many other renters. Offer to let the owner meet your pet and address his concerns before he brings them up by assuring him that your animal is housebroken and quiet, and that you will always pick up after your pet.