5 Useful Tips for Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental Apartment

Kinnisvara24 statistics show that the note "pets allowed" has been added to only 1.3 percent of rental listings, which means finding a suitable apartment can turn out to be a time-consuming undertaking for pet owners. The portal's marketing manager Martin Matsberg highlights five useful tips to make the process faster and smoother.

Always ask

On real estate portals, it is generally possible to filter pet-friendly offers with just one click. However, Matsberg recommends contacting the provider even if the corresponding filter is not specifically mentioned in the listing. "The owner may be willing to make an exception or has forgotten to add the corresponding filter, so it's always worth asking politely," said Matsberg and added that information should also be sought directly from housing associations and developers. "Many new developments and landlords have highlighted pet-friendliness separately on their website."

Create a CV for your pet

Similar to a human CV, where education and best qualities are highlighted, a pet CV gives the landlord a better overview of your pet. A pet CV can include information about dog training courses, characteristics and show results, as well as recommendations from a trainer, veterinarian or previous landlord. You can also add a photo, pet activities and much more.

According to Martin Matsberg, a pet CV can be used to show that you are a responsible dog owner. "A detailed overview of your pet gives the landlord confidence that your pet behaves politely," he added.

Introduce your pet to the landlord

Prejudices or previous bad experiences have made landlords cautious. "Pets are associated with behavior that negatively affects property value, such as accidents in the house or furniture scratching," explained Matsberg. "However, every animal is different and getting to know a specific animal can give the landlord peace of mind that it is a well-behaved animal."

Account for higher costs

Allowing a pet automatically means additional costs for the landlord, which apartment seekers should definitely take into account. "Apartment owners who allow pets may require a monthly pet fee or a deposit, which is intended to protect their property from damage that a pet may cause to the rental space. Additional fees or deposits are also used to cover cleaning costs, which inevitably come with allowing pets," explained Matsberg.

Allow sufficient time

Finding a suitable home may not always go as smoothly as you would like – leaving things to the last minute, you may end up in a situation where you simply cannot find a pet-friendly landlord and circumstances force you to find temporary accommodation for your pet. To avoid this, Matsberg recommends starting the apartment search process early and also thinking about backup plans.