Want to Get a Pet in Brooklyn? 4 Tips to Convince Your Landlord

Finding a rental that will let you bring your pet along can be a difficult task, especially in a market that’s already filled with seemingly endless applicants and bidding wars. But there are a few creative ways to convince your landlord to let you have a pet, whether you’ve already signed a lease with them or not. Read on to find our favorite tips!

#1: Use Your Pet as an Emotional Support Animal

It’s important to note that this tip only applies to individuals who would actually benefit from an emotional support animal, due to underlying condition(s). And all you need to do is get a letter from your mental health professional (whether that be your doctor, psychiatrist, or counselor), stating that your life will be easier with a furry friend by your side.

Make sure you don’t fall for the emotional support animal registration options all over the internet. These are most often scams. All you need is a letter from a professional to provide to your landlord.

#2: Make a “Resume” for Your Pet

Landlords often turn down applicants with pets due to the extra wear and tear on their property. But if you have the paperwork ready that proves your pet is up to date with all vaccinations and medical care, gets nail trims often, has graduated from a high-quality training program, and sleeps in a crate when you’re not home, you have a much better chance of being let in.

Write down all of these facts and gather the necessary paperwork to prove them. Then, submit your pet’s “resume” along with your application and hope for the best!

#3: Get On Management’s Good Side

If you already live in a rental that doesn’t allow pets, your best bet is to get on the good side of your landlord or management team. Show them how neat and responsible you are, and build a positive relationship by helping them with small maintenance tasks when you can.

If the higher-ups know you, and see you as responsible, they’re much more likely to respond positively when you ask to have a pet.

#4: Exercise Your Three-Month Rights

This tip is a little risky, but if it’s your last resort, it may be worth a try. If you have a pet in your rental for more than three months in Brooklyn, and others see you with that pet, it cannot be taken away after three months.

So, if your neighbors and maintenance workers see the pup and don’t say anything, you may be able to keep him around for good. Important phrases to keep in mind from the law include that you must have the pet “openly and notoriously,” and that the three-month mark makes any no-pet clauses “waived and unenforceable.”

Be sure to keep notes and photographs in case you need to prove your lifestyle with the pet down the line.

All in all, it’s not impossible to bring a pet into your Brooklyn rental. It’s best to find a place that allows them from the start, but you can still get a furry friend in your recurrent place with a bit of creativity. Try out the tip that best suits you from the list above and let us know how it works!