You're a pet lover. So are we! When you're on the hunt for your next pet-friendly apartment in Houston, we've done the legwork to help you ask better questions that will keep you and your furry friends happy at home.
Not all apartment complexes are created equal when it comes to being fans of your "extra" family friends. Who can blame them? While we love our dogs, cats and more, apartment managers see them as liabilities. Damage to carpet, tile, door frames...extra cleaning fees and the such. Pet owners who came before you have made it harder than ever to find properties that want you AND your pets as long-term residents. We've put together a list of tips for you as you set out on your search for pet-friendly apartments. Houston has plenty waiting for you and you just need to know a few things to keep your search simple!
- Houston Apartment Insiders will be your guide - We don't refer people to complexes as a matter of practice that charge "pet rent" or other outrageous fees. There are plenty of properties out there in Houston that will welcome you without trying to make a four-legged friend fit in a two-legged hole.
- Training - You're going to be sharing walls, so if you have a pup that's on the loud side, think about investing in some training. There are numerous classes at your local Petsmart or Petco that you can take your pet to and over a few weeks help curb barking and apartment-unfriendly behavior. You can also buy "chirping" style bark stopper devices that emit a sound silent to humans but annoying to dogs when they happen to bark indoors. They range from $10-$40 and a web search should set you up.
- Weight limits - Many complexes have pet weight restrictions. These are for both insurance purposes as well as for the thought process that large animals may do more damage. If you're already a renter and thinking of adding a pet to your family, try to keep the weight to under 25 pounds at full-grown size. This will give you the most rental options possible without weight/size being a factor.
- Shared walls - When touring properties, ask to see units that are sharing walls with only one other unit. Townhomes are great for this. If you're in the middle of a building, you have up to 3 neighbors sharing walls if on the top floor! Talk to your apartment locator and leasing agent to help you be the best pet-owning resident possible.
- Vet records - You may be asked to show pet licensing and proof of current rabies vaccinations.Be sure to be up-to-date on vaccines like Parvo as well, especially since your pet will be in areas shared by many other animals on the complex ground. You might be a responsible pet owner but others may not. A single trip to the vet can keep you from having to pay an unfortunate price.
