Section 1: Before the Tour — Pet Policy Questions
These questions should be confirmed in writing before you invest time in a tour. If a landlord can't answer them clearly, that's information worth having early.
- ☐ Is there a weight limit for dogs? What is it?
- ☐ Is there a breed restriction list? What breeds are excluded?
- ☐ How many pets are allowed per unit?
- ☐ What is the pet deposit amount, and is it refundable?
- ☐ Is there a monthly pet rent? How much per pet?
- ☐ Are there any species restrictions (dogs only, cats only, no birds, etc.)?
- ☐ Are there pet-specific move-out requirements (e.g., mandatory professional carpet cleaning)?
Get these answers in writing — email is fine. Any answer that differs from what you later see in the lease is a red flag that requires resolution before signing. A landlord who verbally says "large dogs are fine" but hands you a lease with a 50-lb limit has just told you something important.
Section 2: The Unit — Physical Evaluation
Once you're in the unit, evaluate these elements specifically through the lens of life with your pet:
- ☐ Floor type: Is it appropriate for your pet? (Slippery tile/hardwood is a joint risk for senior dogs)
- ☐ Floor condition: Are there pre-existing stains, scratches, or odor? (Document these)
- ☐ Baseboards: Intact, no prior chewing damage? (Document pre-existing damage)
- ☐ Doors and frames: Scratches at pet height? (Document, these cannot be charged to you)
- ☐ Carpet: Stains around exterior doors or in corners? (Common pet accident zones)
- ☐ Pet odor: Does the unit smell of previous pets? (Persisting odor = unresolved past damage)
- ☐ Balcony railing gaps: Can a small dog or cat fit through?
- ☐ Window screens: Secure enough to prevent escape?
- ☐ Gap under exterior doors: Small pets can escape through surprising gaps
- ☐ Storage: Enough space for pet supplies, crate, food bins?
- ☐ Unit size: Adequate square footage for your pet's needs?
Section 3: Building and Common Areas
- ☐ Is there a ground floor unit, or direct outdoor access from the floor you're on?
- ☐ How far from the unit to the nearest outdoor exit? (Elevator wait times add up)
- ☐ Is there a designated dog relief area on the property?
- ☐ Are there dog waste stations with bags provided?
- ☐ On-site dog park or pet washing station? (True pet-friendliness markers)
- ☐ Are there other pet owners visible in the building? (Cultural fit signal)
- ☐ Is the landlord/manager's attitude toward your pet positive when meeting?
- ☐ Are common areas (lobby, halls) clean of pet odors?
- ☐ Are pets allowed in common areas, or only in units?
- ☐ What's the building's noise complaint process? Is it reasonable?
Section 4: Neighborhood Evaluation
- ☐ Green space or park within a 5-minute walk (essential for dogs)
- ☐ Off-leash dog park within reasonable distance
- ☐ Sidewalk quality: wide enough for walking a dog safely
- ☐ Traffic levels: safe for walks at the times you'll be out
- ☐ Veterinary clinic within reasonable distance
- ☐ 24-hour emergency vet nearby (important for true emergencies)
- ☐ Pet supply store accessible (food, litter, supplies)
- ☐ Pet-friendly businesses in the neighborhood (cafes, shops that welcome dogs)
Before signing any apartment, walk the route from the unit's door to the nearest green space at the same time of day you'll normally be doing it. Morning routes are different from evening routes; a park that's 10 minutes away feels different at 6am in winter than on a Saturday afternoon. This walk tells you more than any map.
Section 5: Lease and Legal Terms
- ☐ Does the lease specifically name your pet (name, breed, weight)?
- ☐ Is the pet deposit amount and refundability clearly stated?
- ☐ Is monthly pet rent stated?
- ☐ Are behavioral expectations clearly defined (leash requirements, quiet hours)?
- ☐ Are there move-out pet cleaning requirements stated specifically?
- ☐ Under what conditions can the pet accommodation be revoked?
- ☐ Does the lease match everything that was verbally agreed?
- ☐ If you have a pet addendum — does it cover damage responsibility clearly?
- ☐ Is there a clause about adding a second pet? (And did you discuss this?)
See our pet lease clauses guide for a deeper review of each of these items and what language to watch out for.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
Sometimes the right answer is to keep looking. These are signals worth taking seriously:
A landlord who seemed fine with your pet verbally but asks you to sign a lease that doesn't mention the pet or has a "no pets" clause — this is a setup for problems. A lease that allows sudden revocation of pet permission "at any time at management's discretion" gives you no security. Pre-existing significant pet damage that the landlord seems to have not addressed (staining, odor, scratched surfaces) suggests maintenance standards that may affect your deposit recovery. A building where other residents visibly react negatively to animals in common areas is going to be stressful daily regardless of policy. And a landlord who pressures you to sign quickly without time to review the pet-related terms is not a good sign.
The right apartment is out there. Using this checklist ensures you find it rather than settling for one that creates problems down the road.