Renting with Pets

Finding pet-friendly housing is no easy task, especially in New York City. However, there are a few things that pet owners can do to make looking for housing, for you and your pet to share, a little less daunting.

Here are some tips to help make finding a pet-friendly place to live a little easier:

Start by looking at websites that offer pet-friendly housing in New York City.

www.apartmentguide.com
www.apartmentworld.com
www.apartments.com
www.aptsforrent.com
www.peoplewithpets.com
www.rent.net
www.homeproperties.com
www.nycdoglife.com

Contact realtors and rental agencies before your lease expires and let them know that you are looking for pet-friendly housing. This will make it easier for the realtor to match you and your pet with the perfect apartment.

Search in newspapers for ads that say "pets allowed."

You must sell yourself as a responsible pet owner. Offer proof of this to the landlord, with a letter of reference from your current landlord verifying that you are a responsible pet owner or a letter from your veterinarian stating that your pet receives proper medical care.

You can arrange to have the landlord meet your pet so he can see that your pet is properly trained and will not be destructive or a nuisance to the other residents of the building.

Get it in writing that your landlord has agreed to allow you to keep a pet in your new apartment.

Do not try to sneak your pet into your new apartment. This could get you and your pet kicked out.

If you already live in an apartment with your pet and your landlord is trying to evict you because of it, you may have certain rights under the NYC Administrative Code. In certain cases, the law prevents a landlord from evicting a tenant because of a pet if the tenant has had the pet for at least 90 days. Consult an attorney to discuss your rights under this law.

Pet Ownership in Public Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") has established rules to permit public housing residents to own pets, subject to reasonable rules that the public housing agency may establish.

Public housing residents may own common household pets if they maintain each pet responsibly, in accordance with applicable state and local public health, animal control and animal anti-cruelty laws and regulations, and in accordance with the policies established in the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan. Consult your local PHA to find out more about these new rules.

Return to Top