How can I increase my chances of approval when applying to rent with pets?
The First National team love pets, but finding a rental property where the landlord is willing to consider applications from tenants with pets can be challenging. This is because landlords typically worry about the significant damage that can be caused by animals, both inside and outside their property.
Obviously you can start by searching for properties that have been flagged as 'pet friendly', those with secure fenced yards, or dog/cat doors, but sometimes they're just not available in your area. That doesn't mean you can't ask the property manager to consider your application, and that's a much better plan than tying to keep your pet a secret - which would put you in breach of your lease agreement.
So, it's important you distinguish yourself as a responsible pet owner. Including some references specifically related to your pet and your track record makes your application much more attractive to landlords. Ideally, if you can include a reference from a real estate property manager or previous neighbours, attesting to your responsible pet ownership, a landlord is far more likely to say yes.
You should also be prepared to agree to additional clauses in your lease agreement that provide a landlord with greater assurance that they'll be protected. This may involve you agreeing that the pet is to stay outside, if the pet becomes a nuisance to neighbours you will remove it, or that you will indemnify the landlord from damage of any kind caused by your pet.