How to Find Pet-Friendly Apartments (And Get Approved With Your Pet)
The short answer
About half of rentals ban pets, but strategies like a pet resume, higher deposit, and pre-verification can help you get approved. Here is how to find and secure a pet-friendly apartment.
Renting with a pet is possible in most US cities — but it takes more preparation than a standard application. Here is how to find pet-friendly apartments, navigate landlord restrictions, and present yourself as the ideal pet-owning tenant.
Why Is It Hard to Rent With a Pet?
Landlords worry about pet damage (scratched floors, chewed trim, carpet odors), noise complaints, and liability from dog bites. These concerns are valid but often overstated. Studies show that pet-owning tenants tend to stay longer and cause less tenant-related damage than average. Nonetheless, about 50% of US rental listings ban or restrict pets.
Where to Search for Pet-Friendly Apartments
- Zillow: Use the "Pets Allowed" filter to narrow your search immediately.
- Apartments.com: Has a dedicated "Pet-Friendly" filter with subcategories for dogs vs cats.
- Zumper and HotPads: Both support pet filters.
- BringFido.com: Specifically lists pet-friendly rentals and hotels.
- Facebook groups: Search "[City] Pet-Friendly Rentals" — many landlords post here before listing publicly.
- Individual landlords: Private landlords (not property management companies) are often more flexible than corporate landlords.
What to Expect: Pet Fees and Deposits
Pet-friendly landlords typically charge extra:
- Pet deposit: $200–$500 one-time, refundable if no pet damage
- Pet fee: $100–$300 one-time, non-refundable
- Pet rent: $25–$75/month added to monthly rent per pet
Some landlords charge all three. Always ask what is included and get it in writing.
Common Pet Restrictions to Watch For
- Weight limits: Many complexes restrict dogs to under 25–50 lbs.
- Breed restrictions: Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans are commonly banned. This is often driven by insurance requirements, not personal preference.
- Number of pets: Most landlords allow 1–2 pets maximum.
- Species restrictions: Some buildings ban dogs but allow cats or caged animals.
How to Present Your Pet Positively
When applying for a pet-friendly unit, proactively address the landlord's concerns:
1. Create a Pet Resume
A one-page pet resume that includes your pet's name, breed, age, weight, training status, and vet information shows professionalism and reassures the landlord. Include a friendly photo.
2. Provide Veterinary Records
Show that your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and has been spayed or neutered. Neutered pets cause less damage and are generally calmer.
3. Offer a Reference From Your Previous Landlord
A letter from a previous landlord confirming your pet caused no damage is powerful evidence. If you have never rented with your pet before, a letter from a pet sitter or trainer works too.
4. Offer a Higher Pet Deposit
Offering $500–$1,000 instead of the standard $200 deposit shows confidence that your pet is well-behaved and lowers the landlord's perceived risk.
5. Get Pre-Verified as a Reliable Tenant
A Settl Verified Passport shows landlords that you are a financially stable, identity-verified tenant. A strong Settl Verified Passport can help persuade a hesitant landlord to accept your pet application. Get your verification here.
Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals: Know Your Rights
Two types of animals have federal legal protections:
- Service animals (trained to perform specific tasks for a disability) — landlords must allow them under the Fair Housing Act, even in no-pet buildings. No pet deposit allowed.
- Emotional support animals (ESAs) — also protected under the Fair Housing Act for tenants with a verified disability and ESA letter. Landlords must make reasonable accommodation. Pet fees generally do not apply.
If you have an ESA, provide your ESA letter early in the application process. Landlords cannot deny you based on a legitimate ESA letter.
What to Do If You Are Denied Because of a Pet
- Ask if the landlord would reconsider with a higher deposit or pet rent.
- Offer to schedule a "meet and greet" so the landlord can meet your pet.
- Look for individual landlords rather than property management companies — they tend to be more flexible.
- Consider neighborhoods with more single-family homes, which typically have more pet-friendly rentals than apartment complexes.
Finding Pet-Friendly Housing Takes Preparation
The stronger your overall application, the easier it is to negotiate pet acceptance. A Settl pre-verification — with verified income and identity — signals to landlords that they are dealing with a serious, reliable tenant, making them more willing to accommodate your pet.
Settl Editorial
Settl Editorial
Settl helps renters stand out in competitive markets through verified identity, income, and rental verifications. Trusted by landlords across the US.
Ready to get your Settl Verified Passport?
Verified identity, income, and stability, all in one report landlords trust. Apply anywhere, pay once.
Get Settl Verified Passport →Related articles
What to Do After Being Denied an Apartment: A Step-by-Step Recovery Plan
Getting denied stings, but it's not a dead end. Here's exactly what to do next — from understanding why you were rejected to building a stronger application that landlords can't ignore.
How to Get Approved for an Apartment in 2026: What Landlords Actually Look For
Landlords reject 30%+ of applications over documentation gaps, not income. Here is what they actually check, how to prepare, and how to stand out in a competitive market.
How to Rent with No Credit History: 5 Strategies That Actually Work
No credit history does not mean no options. Five proven strategies renters use to get approved for apartments when their credit file is blank.
What Is Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) and Why Renters Should Know It
DTI is the ratio of your monthly debt payments to your gross income. Lenders use it, and now landlords can too — but only if you choose to share it. Here is how it works and why a low DTI can help you get approved faster.
How to Negotiate a Pet Deposit or Monthly Pet Fee
Pet fees and deposits are often set by landlords without much thought — which means they're often negotiable. Here's how to negotiate, what's reasonable to ask for, and what your rights are.
How to Document Apartment Damage Before Moving In (And Protect Your Deposit)
Most deposit disputes happen because neither party documented the unit's condition at move-in. Here's exactly how to document everything so you can get your deposit back in full.