Unfair Policies and Unregulated Costs Hurt Renters, Leave Pets Homeless, and Target the Disadvantaged
Photo credit: Sam Lion
There is an incredible bond between humans and animals that is often hard to describe in words. They are companions, protectors, confidants, babies, and the list goes on. It is no wonder that out of 128 million households in the United States (1), 85 million households have at least one pet (2). With over 32% percent of homes in America being occupied by renters (3), landlords can create unfavorable lease agreements that make keeping a pet impossible or unaffordable. Unfortunately, housing issues are one of the main reasons why animals are placed in shelters -- devastating for the human, the animal, and the bond they share.
Except for service animals, landlords can set the terms on tenant pet policies. Many property owners who own rental property are fearful of the liability and damage done by pets. Therefore, they create blanket no-pet policies that prohibit animals from residing on the premises. This can be an issue for people who already have a pet and in need of housing. Critics that say that the pet-owner should find a place that allows pets, in a nationwide study, 72% of residents said pet-friendly housing is hard to find (4).
While some landlords do not allow any pets, property owners and managers determine the rules and set limitations on the type of pet, size of pet (usually 25 lbs or less), and kind of breed. This has more implications for the 77 million pet-dog population than other pets, like cats, birds, or fish. While small dogs like chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Frenchies, are popular; even some of the small breed dogs can exceed a 25 lb weight limit, leaving many people with medium-large breeds no option but to surrender.
Some rental properties are promoted as pet-friendly with restrictions but entice people with amenities. Pet parks, bathing stations, and services like grooming, pet-sitting, or dog walking are cashing in on creating an environment that encourages people with pets to become residents. While pet-friendly apartments are more attractive to people who live with or plan to have a pet, these properties tend to be more expensive or have fees that make keeping a pet costly and unaffordable for people on a fixed income.
Landlord policies and exorbitant fees are a key factor that preclude people from having a family pet. While organizations like Housing and Urban Development (HUD) work to protect pet ownership for the elderly and differently-abled people, their own investigations concluded inconsistencies among property managers. The results concluded that property managers declared no-pet policies, which is counter to HUD's guidelines and allows property managers to collect a maximum of $300 for pet deposits (5).
Legally, landlords can charge a pet deposit, pet rent, or pet fee for non service animals. With a few exceptions, there are no federal or state laws governing the amount a renter can be charged for a pet. The rates are typically on a sliding scale depending on the type and number of pets one has. It is a good practice for the rental advertisement to list such fees. However, the landlord and tenant may agree upon the additional rent might be for wear and tear on the property.
While some people can provide their pet with a space with amenities like a pet spa, many people can't afford that luxury. Regardless of socioeconomic status, people should not be penalized for having a companion animal. Without legal parameters, renters can be subjected to upfront and yearly pet-related expenses that make caring for a pet financially challenging. With an estimated 1.5 million animals being euthanized every year (6), we must create opportunities for people to affordably care for their pets and encourage people who can responsibly care for a pet to do so.
Interested in learning more? Here are some programs that are seeking to change the landscape of the issue:
Want to know more about tenant rights in your state. Check out this interactive map on Apartments.com.