Renting a House With Pets: How to Make the Ask

Many owners who write case by case are really asking how much trouble your dog will be. Answer that before they ask.

Put together a short pet resume

• Breed, age, weight and how long you have had the animal
• Spayed or neutered, shots, flea control
• A name and number from a past landlord or a vet
• A photo, because it never hurts

Ask about the numbers early

Ask whether there is a pet deposit, a monthly pet fee, or both, and whether the deposit comes back. Then ask about any limit on size or breed, which sometimes comes from the owner’s insurance rather than the owner.

Assistance animals are different

An assistance animal for a person with a disability is not treated as a pet under fair housing law, and pet fees generally do not apply. HUD publishes guidance on this, and a local fair housing group can help if a request goes badly.