Have dog, will rent

There is an amazing apartment building at the end of my block that has been sitting mostly empty for at least a year. From years back when I first moved to Beverly Hills I had always admired it, but I knew it was quite pet unfriendly and remained so at least up through this year when I was recently on the apartment hunt.

But last week I noticed a bevvy of action around the building. Apartments that had been empty for months were all of the sudden lit up and the building buzzed with the sounds of people, and wait what was that, yes it was the harumphs of  dogs barking. Looking in the windows as I walked by with Ranger I have seen a boxer in one apartment and a poodle and a hound of some variety in another. Aparently the landlords have had a change of heart.

I’m sure it has something to do with the economy, I mean how long could they let these apartment lose money. But it got me thinking about  dogs and renting. Why are landlords so hesitant to rent to dog owners. Of course there is the obvious soiling (nice euphamism, right?) issues, but I’ve seen non-dog onwers rip a place to shreds and besides landlords usually take a fat pet deposit to cover these cost. Then there is also the issue of noise, but I’ve had plenty of neighbors make tons of noise without the help of a canine friend.

I’m lucky enough to have found an amazing apartment (it was designed by famed architect Paul Williams who also designed that crazy building at the center of LAX) that was willing to take Bella, and now Ranger. But I also came with good references from my former apartment building. If you are a dog owning renter, and are having a tough time, do the following.

1. Give yourself time to find a pet friendly place. There are pet freindly apartments in every city. It just takes some time. Craigslist is awesome for finding pet friendly places.

2. Don’t give up. Dogs are too often given up because people can’t find housing right away. When you start looking for a place line up an interim place to stay, and or someome to babysit your dog in case there is  lag between when you have to move out of one place and when you find the second place.

3. Always ask. Particularly in this economy even places that say no dogs may consider it if you sign a 12 month or even offer to sign a longer lease if they take your dog.

4. Have references ready to give from your former landlord or neighbors. It may seem a little hokey but it might be enough to get them to consider you.

5. Get renters insurance that covers your dog. You never plan for things to happen but they do, and this way at a resonable cost you can protect yourself, your dog and your wallet!

6.  Be a conscientious dog owner. When you’re not, you ruin it for the rest of us!

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