8 ways dog owners can navigate anti-dog rentals
From pet resumes to bylaws negotiations, these tips can help turn around the no-dog rule
The first time I heard the disgust in the property manager’s voice about emotional support animals, I laughed it off. The second time he complained about tenants “scamming” their way into getting dogs as ESAs, I raised an eyebrow. By the third time I heard him complaining about ESAs, I realized just how serious he was about opposing dog ownership in rentals. He’d even gone as far as trying to get articles written about why ESA letters are fake.
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That was when I realized just how much of an obstacle Gen Z renters who own dogs are having while trying to rent an apartment. In fact, in a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, 81% aged between 18 and 27 have pets. However, 71% with no pets blamed living restrictions, including space constraints and building rules. I, a Millennial, shouldn’t have been surprised. Dogs weren’t allowed in my first four homes — an off-campus apartment in Missouri, two more apartments around Chicago and a condo rental in Evanston — even though Illinois is in the top 10 “States With The Most Spoiled Dogs.”
Pushing a dog in a stroller? Absolutely not. Taking a dog on vacation? Not yet — although I’ve dog boarded and dog sat for owners who took a vacation. Prepared homemade dog food or dog treats? Guilty Illinoisan!
While veterinary bills and pet expenses are a factor in why some aspiring pet owners take a beat before dog adoption, not being able to find a pet-friendly home may be the toughest obstacle to fight.
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So how are pet owners under age 49 — the median age among dog owners — getting around this residential obstacle?