Our pets are more than just “pets”. They are beloved family members who bless us with their unconditional love, affection, and companionship. They always bring out the best in us and, in many cases, help us overcome difficulties and manage troubling feelings.
However, while their value is immeasurable, that doesn’t necessarily mean every landlord is happy or able to accommodate your pet in housing. Unfortunately, many landlords have enforced a no pet policy or other restrictions on pet owners.
To give you more insight into your housing rights as a pet owner, we will break down “what is a no pet policy” and discuss other common pet-related restrictions.
What Is a No Pet Policy in Housing?
A no pet policy is a blanket “no pets allowed” ban that landlords often include as a clause in their contracts. It essentially means that pets are not permitted to live on the property with you. Breaching this term gives a landlord the right to impose fines, demand you remove your pet, or even evict you.
This makes it crucial to review a landlord’s terms before applying for housing with a pet. This ensures you can find the appropriate housing for your living situation, preventing unnecessary distress later down the line.
Other Common Pet Restrictions in Housing
While a blanket no pet policy used to be common, with the rise of pet ownership throughout the United States, many landlords have opted for slightly more lenient policies.
Some landlords accommodate pets, but enforce specific restrictions such as:
- Size Limits: The pet must not exceed a certain weight and/or height. This can vary depending on the landlord and the property type. However, a common restriction is up to 50 pounds.
- Species Restrictions: Some landlords may permit common household pets like cats and dogs, but may deny housing to more unusual pets, like tarantulas or ferrets.
- Breed Bans: Landlords may deny housing to certain breeds, particularly those that are often subjected to breed-specific legislation (BSL).
Even if your pet satisfies these criteria, they will still need to be well-behaved, housebroken, and not pose a risk to the safety of others living at the property. Written permission must also usually be obtained in advance.
Pet Rental Fees
Pet policies aren’t the only factor renters with pets must consider. Many landlords who accommodate pets in their rental properties do so at a price. They charge renters pet-related fees such as:
- Pet Rent: You may need to pay an additional amount each month on top of the standard rent. On average, most landlords set the monthly pet rent fee between $25 and $50.
- Pet Deposit: You may be expected to pay a pet deposit upfront. This extra fee is used as a way to cover the potential/perceived risk of having a pet at the property.
Besides this, you will also need to cover the cost of any significant property damage your animal causes while living with you.
Exemptions to No Pet Policies
Unfortunately, if you’re a pet owner, in most cases, there are no automatic exemptions to no pet policies in housing. You are generally required to abide by the terms outlined in the contract.
That said, it’s definitely worth speaking to the landlord directly about your pet. They may be willing to revise their no pet policy and accommodate your animal in certain circumstances. This is particularly the case if your pet is small, behaved, and unlikely to cause a safety risk or disruption to other tenants.
While pets can’t bypass pet policies and fees, other types of animals, such as emotional support animals and service animals, are eligible for exemptions. These animals are exempt because they are not classed as pets. They support those with disabilities and are treated as medical assistance aids.
Service animals and ESAs are both protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). They have the legal right to live with their owners in virtually all properties, and at no additional cost. If a landlord attempts to subject them to pet-related policies, this would constitute discrimination, and the landlord can face repercussions.
Learn More About Emotional Support Animals
If you have a diagnosed mental health disability, and your pet provides you with therapeutic support, they may be able to qualify as an ESA. Getting them recognized and documented as an ESA entitles you to the FHA’s housing protections and, crucially, exemption from a landlord’s no pet policies and pet-related fees.
To learn more about your eligibility for an ESA and their housing rights, the experts at EmotionalSupportAnimal.com can help.
Final Recap: What Is a No Pet Policy
A no pet policy is a clause that a landlord can include in their lease agreement to prohibit pets on the property. Some landlords enforce a blanket ban — meaning no pets allowed in any circumstances — while others show some leniency and accept pets that meet certain requirements.
If your lease agreement has a no pet policy, you must seek written permission from your landlord before keeping a pet at the property.
While pets aren’t exempt from these policies, emotional support animals and service dogs are. This is due to the FHA federal protections. and their status as “medical assistance aids” rather than companions.