Cats and dogs are more than just pets—they are members of your family that will accompany you during every stage of your life. When hunting for the perfect apartment for you and your family, it is vital to carefully review each complex’s pet policy before touring. Pet policies differ significantly across cities, counties, and property management companies, and won’t always align with your lifestyle, budget, and household.
Moving is stressful enough on its own—don’t go into the pet friendly apartment search blind! Continue reading to learn the basic legal and financial bases of pet policies, as explained by our Gainesville property management company.
Most apartment complexes will prohibit exotic animals, such as birds, large reptiles, and wolf-hybrids, to minimize the risk of property damage, nuisance, and injury within their complex. Many property management companies will also limit the number of pets allowed per unit to prevent crowding and to keep their property as hygienic as possible.
Species restrictions are not a judgment on the kinds of pets tenants should keep. Rather, these restrictions work to ensure a high quality of life for all pets residing in the complex. Some species, such as wild dog or cat hybrids, large birds, or reptiles, simply need more space to thrive than apartment-style living can provide them.
Commonly restricted dog breeds include American Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Cane Corsos, German Shepherds, and Huskies. In general, breed restrictions are based on the dog’s size and temperament, and are put in place to prevent conflict, injury, and noise complaints within the community. Some management companies will even enforce weight restrictions, preventing overly large dogs from living in small apartment communities.
There is no need to panic if your pet meets any of these criteria. Many apartment complexes don’t impose any breed or weight restrictions, given your pet is well-behaved and friendly. The Fair Housing Act requires all landlords to clearly define any breed or weight restrictions in their leasing agreements so that it is clear which pets are allowed and which are not, preventing any surprise fees or restrictions when it comes time to move in.
The concept of pet rent may be foreign to many first-time apartment dwellers. Most apartment complexes already charge a hefty one-time pet fee to protect against damages, so what is pet rent for?
Pets, while lovable, are messy, and damage is unavoidable. Dogs have accidents, cats scratch furniture, and all of these damages, while small, do add up over time. Many properties will charge a small pet fee on top of your monthly rent to proactively cover the cost of everyday wear and tear caused by pets. Alternatively, a one-time pet fee serves as a second security deposit to cover major damage to furniture, walls, or flooring that may be incurred from more rowdy animals.
Contemporary Management Concepts provides a variety of student, single, and family housing options to best suit your entire family—pets included! Our pet friendly apartment rental properties are scattered across the state of Florida, with complexes in Gainesville, Alachua, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Winter Park, and Tampa.
If you are looking for pet friendly housing in Florida, look no further than Contemporary Management Apartments! Many of our pet friendly properties impose no breed or weight restrictions, making it easier than ever to find a welcoming home for your entire household.