Landlords and Pets: Pet Friendly Legislation on the Rise in California
Published December 28, 2009
When I read about pet owners who, due to the state of today's rotten economy, find themselves suddenly faced with house foreclosures so may have to make the heart wrenching decision to relinquish a beloved pet. Sadly, of course this is due to the scarcity of pet-friendly residential rental housing.
But it seems that California is right at the top of states passing pet-friendly legislations. In fact pet loving San Franciscan Ethical Insurance policy holders may start looking forward to these supportive legislations which are passing through the city government for consideration. I love reading stories like this one!
Photo credit: Washingtonpost.com According to the San Francisco Examiner, "A package of proposals aimed at making it easier for animal owners to live in rented housing is currently being scrutinized and will either go through or be aborted in January." It is hoped that they will be voted upon favorably for a variety of reasons.
Passage of these legislations are crucial since only 50% of available rental properties permit pets, although San Francisco is a city where 80% of the residents are tenants with many of them discriminated against. Hopefully this will help to alleviate these difficult decisions that so frequently must be made by people trying to find a suitable apartment or home rental residence.
Additionally, the present discriminatory regulations that landlords chose to impose may account for the huge numbers of strays and abandoned pets annually brought to shelters."The motivation is to get more people available to foster and adopt rescued animals", said, Sally Stephens, the Commissioner for Animal Control and Welfare Chairwoman.
Another compelling reason to be considered for passing these legislations is to attempt outlawing discrimination of pet owners and to mandate an allotment of a percentage of housing units to be deemed as "pet friendly".
But until pet-friendly legislations are passed throughout the entire country, it is highly suggested that pet-owing renters negotiate with potential Landlords who may deny a rental agreement or requiring unfairly large deposits in order allow pets in their rental units. There are folks who do succeed in striking a bargain with Landlords.
For more information and suggestions, visit : http://doglaw.hugpug.com/doglaw_025.html and http://www.ehow.com/how_8073_landlord-accept-pets.html
Have you ever been discriminated by a Landlord when trying to rent with a pet? How did you handle it? Leave a comment and share your experiences.
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (9)
California renting has been impossible for us since we moved here for military duty. We have no kids and one dog, a doberman. He's trained, super polite, and even did therapy work in his youth, but no rental would give us a second look once they saw the word "doberman" on the paperwork. One place said it was fine, then the DAY we were to move in they suddenly said "oops, you have a doberman, can't do it." Legislation on the books meant they weren't liable for our lost airline tickets either, didn't matter they had foreknowledge of the dog.
Had to live in SCUMMISH on base housing for an utter lack of options, then last year the military started a new policy, no "scary" dogs on base. So we couldn't live off base, couldn't live on base, because of a dog with NO aggression problems.
We finally bought a house with a yard, but we could only afford it because the recession drove prices down. Most others just had to give up their dogs, and since shelters charge to abandon animals out here, that means they just set them loose.
Thanks a lot Cali! Nice job...
I tried to rent a 4 bedroom house for my family 3 kids (8,10 & 13) and 2 dogs (40lbs) My dogs are very well behaved, probably better behaved than my children LOL ;) the landlord said only 1 dog 25lbs or less and $500.00 pet deposit. No children under the age of 13. Not that I would want to rent from someone like this, but WTF? Isn't a 4 bedroom a family home? Isn't a family kids and dogs? I am so frustrated that I cannot find housing for my family, we are about to be on the street. How can someone make me choose to house only part of my family? I don't know what to do. No one will rent to me as long as I have my dogs, not even with pet insurance.
Try craigslist? I have always found pet friendly places via craigslist. Good luck!
The small dog is better is a common misconception amongst landlords. Small dogs often dig and chew because of their breeds. Like small terriers, they are bred to hunt burrowing animals. Regardless though, all damages caused by pet or owner should be covered by deposits.
"expensive carpets"? right. when have you seen a rental unit with expensive carpet? Landlords could simply charge substantial pet deposits in addition to the regular deposit. they could do extensive background checks. they could be more willing to allow small dogs or medium sized dogs instead of banning all dogs entirely. i originally wasn't supportive of these new laws because i felt that landlords shouldn't be mandated to permit pets, but after spending 2 years looking for a place that allows dogs, i am convinced that legal mandates are necessary. i am so angry that it is so impossible. now i understand why so many people go to a therapist and get written permission for "Therapy Dogs." Property owners are jerks!!
Would it be more palatable to give landlords/property owners a tax break to go pet friendly?
Sadly not all pet owners who rent feel they should pay for any damage their pets have caused. Any responsible pet will not have a problem with this law if it is enforced correctly and fairly. It is the few that cause problems for the majority.