{"id":3069,"date":"2021-04-20T17:52:56","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T22:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/?p=3069"},"modified":"2025-05-02T00:22:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T05:22:55","slug":"convince-landlord-to-allow-dog-into-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/convince-landlord-to-allow-dog-into-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Convince Your Landlord to Allow a Dog Into Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

For time immemorial, dogs have been our furry companions. In most countries around the world, dogs are as much a part of the family as our siblings, parents, and children. But while we would love to bring them with us wherever we go, there are laws abide that dictate whether we can cohabitate with our canine pals.<\/p>\n

If you are an existing dog owner (or would like to become one), convincing your landlord to allow a pooch to live in your house or apartment can be tricky. Some landlords will have strict policies about owning pets \u2014 and for good reason. However, this doesn\u2019t mean that having a dog is impossible. There are several ways you can broach the subject and negotiate your existing lease agreement.<\/p>\n

Living with an Emotional Support Animal<\/h2>\n

If you rely on your pet for emotional support, you may be able to have them exempted from typical housing restrictions. Once you have the required documentation, a landlord can not legally refuse your emotional support animal (ESA) accommodations.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important not to abuse this avenue, though, so it\u2019s only an option if a mental health professional issues a letter that verifies that you have a genuine emotional, psychological, or mental health condition that your animal provides assistance with. If you think you could benefit from an ESA, USSA can help you throughout the process.<\/a><\/p>\n

Otherwise, you\u2019ll need to abide by any pet restrictions in your lease, or negotiate them with your landlord.<\/p>\n

Review Your Lease<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re about to sign a lease or have already signed one, the first thing you want to do is check the clause for pet ownership. The lease will likely state whether the pet agreement is flexible or if it\u2019s set in stone.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s the latter, don\u2019t be discouraged! This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that negotiation isn\u2019t possible. However, it does mean that you will need to prepare for the possibility that your landlord will turn you down despite your best efforts.<\/p>\n

Remember that property owners often have legitimate reasons for not accepting pets. This can include a history of irresponsible tenants who damaged the furniture and the floors, and who had a reputation for disrupting their neighbors due to their pet.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve lived in the property for a while as a responsible tenant, you may be able to review the lease again and negotiate with your landlord. Before you approach them, however, there are a few preparations you can make in advance.<\/p>\n

Do Your Research<\/h2>\n

Aside from reviewing your rental agreement, it\u2019s also worth doing some research about pet ownership laws in your state. This includes investigating any laws that might help you amend your current lease agreement.<\/p>\n

For example, the state of New York has a 3-month law<\/a> that states that no-animal clauses are considered null if the tenant has been living freely with their pet for a certain period. In other words, if you decide to cohabit with your dog in a normal way for 3 months (i.e., no sneaking them in and out) and your landlord doesn\u2019t say anything, then any pet ownership agreement in your lease is considered unenforceable.<\/p>\n

While all states and cities will have different laws around tenancy agreements, it\u2019s worth researching these ahead of time before you approach your landlord. Who knows? You may just find a legal loophole that works in your favor.<\/p>\n

Collect Documents<\/h2>\n

Approaching your landlord to discuss the possibility of allowing a dog takes a bit of planning. To ensure that you\u2019re adequately prepared, make sure you collect all the necessary documents first. This could include the following:<\/p>\n