Research shows that pets help us to achieve a happy and healthy life, therefore having one is a blessing in many ways. The flip side is that there are more obligations associated with pet ownership since each kind of pet has unique needs.
According to Data Pandas, Idaho currently has a 70% pet ownership rate, landing as a Top 3 state in the U.S. for pet owners. It is also one of the top states for dog ownership with a 58.3% rate.
The rising number of pet owners in Idaho calls for certain rules and regulations to ensure that everyone's rights, including animals, are being followed. Pet owners like you might notice that there are stricter rules to follow when you live with your pet in a rental home compared to when you own a home.
For instance, you need to send all the necessary information about your pet before renting a home. This includes your pet's name, type, gender, age, and description. When you apply to be a tenant, you also need to meet certain standards. For example, pets in a rental property must be clean and well-groomed, house-trained, free of parasites and infections, have no history of aggressive behavior, and have all of their shots up to date.
There would be a much better chance for your tenant application to be approved if you can show that you possess qualities of responsible pet ownership in rental properties. But, the big question is, how to do it.
Understand and Adhere to Your Lease Agreement
It's important to know the lease agreement and pet rules set by your landlord before you bring a pet into your rented home.
Most apartments these days have clear rules on the kinds, weight, and number of allowable pets in a rental property. These rental property regulations are there to keep everyone safe and comfortable, and you must follow them. So, when you rent a home, ensure that you get permission from the owner or manager before bringing a pet in.
Choose the Right Pet
Landlords are naturally wary of renting to people who have pets. This is why many pets end up in animal shelters because their owners can't find a place for them to live. It's a sad reality but there's still a way for you to be the best pet owner for your beloved furbaby: you have to choose the right pet.
If you are thinking about getting pets in a rental property, you should give it some thought first because not all pets will be good in an apartment. Avoid adopting pets that are aggressive or an animal that has a history of biting.
On the other hand, if you already have a pet and want to get or adopt a new one, you should wait until after your lease renewal. You can't be sure how a new pet will behave or if it will be a problem if it doesn't get used to its new home.
Hire a Professional Cleaner for Your Unit
Make sure your living place stays clean and odor-free. You can change your furnace filter or hire professional cleaners from time to time to get rid of any bad pet smells.
Ensuring You Cover Any Pet-Related Damages
Being a pet owner means that your unit can be prone to damage like chewed furniture or scratched floors. Always keep in mind that as a tenant, you are liable financially for any damage your pet causes. This is the reason why pet deposits or pet rents are included in your lease agreement.
Assign Specific Pet Areas in Your Unit
You should give your pet particular spots to eat, sleep, and play in your home. This can help with cleaning up after pets in a rental property and avoiding damage that they may cause.
Provide Your Pets with Enough Physical and Mental Exercises
Pet owners, particularly dog owners, in apartments, are sometimes unable to control their pets' excessive energy levels because they are confined. They become more irritable and loud and often develop bad behavior. So make sure to take them for walks every day and have some mental stimulation activity to keep them calm and have a long and happy life.
Immediately Clean-Up Your Pet's Wastes
As a responsible owner, you need to clean up your pet's waste right away so that the rental property doesn't get lasting stains. You should also train your cat to use the litter box to prevent it from roaming outside your unit.
Keep Your Pets Healthy
Ensure your pets are as healthy as possible so that sicknesses don't spread to other pets in a rental property. For starters, you can provide them with a healthy diet. Make sure all of their vaccinations are up to date and make regular trips to the vet a priority. Also, get your pets spayed or neutered to keep them healthy and less likely to run away.
Control Your Pet's Noise
Dogs and other pets can be noisy, which could bother your neighbors. Getting things that keep your pet busy without making a lot of noise and training your pet not to bark unless necessary can help with noise problems.
Avoid Your Pet Becoming a Nuisance
Make sure you don't leave your pets in a rental property alone outside. When you walk your dog around the building or area, you should always keep them on a leash. If some maintenance or repairs are going on, or if someone is working, lock your pets in their crate or a room so they will not disturb your neighbors.
Get Pet Tags or a Microchip
To avoid your pets from getting lost or stolen, consider putting pet tags on them indicating your home and phone number. Another great idea is to have them microchipped.
Get a Reliable Pet Sitter
Before you leave, make sure you have a trusted pet sitter who can either take your pets to a kennel or take good care of them while you're gone. Pets in a rental property that are alone often become a bother.
Shower Your Pet with TLC
Buying a pet or having an adopted pet involves making an emotional and financial commitment. Apart from giving them clean living conditions, fresh water, and food, you also have to provide them with pet insurance and regular grooming.
Protect Furniture with Safety Covers
Your pets in a rental property can damage things like rugs, furniture, and curtains. Put plastic covers over the furniture they might damage and buy different scratch pads to put around the house so your pets don't use the furniture to sharpen their nails.
Find a Rental Home that Allows Pets in Idaho!
Now that you know how to be a responsible tenant with your furry friend, it's time to find a home for you and your furry friend. 1st Rate Property Management can help you find a rental home with your pets from our hundreds of properties in Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City, Kuna, Meridian, and Nampa.
Enjoy a free bi-annual pet inspection in our available Idaho homes! You can even conveniently compare rates from our Tenant Fees Comparison page. You can also check our Rental Policies page to check our important guidelines for tenants with pets in a rental property.
We offer lease discounts for long-term tenants and a thorough move-in and move-out inspection. We also have tenant resources accessible on our site anytime anywhere for prospective and existing tenants, making your renting experience easier and more comfortable.
Find the best rental home for you and your pet, and contact us now!