6 Tips for Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental

Many of us think of our pets as family, and just like not every home is a good fit for our family, not every home is a good fit for our pets. Is there enough space? Can you afford the pet rent? What about a yard? These are the kinds of factors that can distinguish the ideal rental from all the others. And depending on where you live, how many pets you have, and what breeds they are, finding the right fit isn’t always a walk in the park. But the odds of finding a rental that works for you and your buddy might be on your side, because pet-friendly housing has become the standard in much of the country. 

Nationwide, about 77% of rental listings on Zillow allow pets. That tracks with who’s renting today. According to the 2025 Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report, 59% of renter households have at least one pet. Specifically, 40% have a dog and 31% have a cat. Combined, that’s an even bigger share than renters who have a child (37%) or even a houseplant (46%). 

A rental that doesn’t welcome pets is a deal-breaker for many: 65% of renters now call this an essential factor when deciding where to rent, up from 60% in 2024. And that figure climbs to 73% among renters looking to move into single-family homes.

Still, availability differs a lot depending on where you look. 

Here are the top 10 cities with the most pet-friendly rentals, according to new data from Zillow:

• Charlotte, NC — 91.6% allow pets
• Austin, TX — 91.5%
• Denver, CO — 90.8%
• Dallas, TX — 90.6%
• Nashville, TN — 90.4%
• Raleigh, NC — 89.7%
• Indianapolis, IN — 89%
• Richmond, VA — 88.7%
• Kansas City, MO — 88.3%
• Columbus, OH — 88%

At the other end of the spectrum, here are the top 10 cities with the least amount of pet-friendly rentals: 

• Providence, RI — 54.3%
• New York, NY — 61.4%
• Buffalo, NY — 62.2%
• Boston, MA — 62.5%
• Hartford, CT — 63.3%
• San Francisco, CA — 64.2%
• New Orleans, LA — 65.3%
• Los Angeles, CA – 67.6%
• Miami, FL — 68.3%
• Riverside, CA — 69.2%

So depending on where you live, how many pets you have, and what breeds they are, finding the right fit isn’t always a…walk in the park. The good thing is that landing the perfect home for both you and your pet is possible with the right preparation and paperwork. Try these suggestions for finding a pet-friendly rental to help streamline your search and application process.

1. Start your search as soon as possible

The hard truth is that if you have pets — particularly a large dog — it may take longer to find a rental that’s a good fit for you and them. Your options can thin out quickly in less pet-friendly markets, and more so if some landlords in your area keep a strict no-pet policy. So with potentially fewer options to choose from, give yourself extra time to search if you’re on a deadline.

Begin by narrowing your search to pet-friendly rentals. On Zillow, this is designated by size and type of pet allowed (see more tips on searching for rentals on Zillow). Keep in mind that if a listing doesn’t say anything about pets — whether they’re allowed or whether they aren’t — you may not want to discount the rental. Consider reaching out to the landlord or property manager in this case to clarify their pet policy once you’ve browsed all your pet-friendly options.

Also, consider looking at single-family properties. Landlords of individually-owned properties may be more likely to be flexible and accept pets on a case-by-case basis. Using keywords like “pet friendly” or “dog friendly” in your search can help narrow down rental listings as well.

2. Set a budget

You’ll want to factor into your search the various pet-related costs that you may incur on top of your rent. Many landlords charge either a one-time pet deposit or a one-time pet fee; they are different things. The former is refundable. You should get your pet deposit back if your landlord decides the pet didn’t cause significant damage to the home. A pet fee, however, is non-refundable. Pet fees are typically requested by the landlord in order to cover any potential cleaning or repairs needed after you move out. Pet deposits and fees vary, but typically range from $50 going up to several hundred dollars.

You might also encounter pet rent at some properties. This is either an annual or monthly fee that’s added to your rent, and it’s becoming increasingly common. Here are some numbers from the 2025 Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report on how common pet fees are, and what they cost:

How often do renters pay pet fees or pet rent?

• All renters: 31%
• Renters who own pets: 49%

How much and how often do those renters pay in pet fees or pet rent?

• Between $40 and $59 a month: 45%
• $100 or more a month: 12%

Those extra fees definitely add up: at $50 a month, pet rent tacks an extra $600 onto a 12-month lease. That could be so much money, that you’d have to change whether a given place actually fits your budget.

Some rentals require you pay both pet rent and a pet deposit or fee. Some states or cities have laws that limit how high these amounts can be, so check if this applies where you’re looking to live.

To size up the true monthly cost of a rental before you reach out to the property manager, check to see if the listing includes a Costs & Fees section. Property managers can itemize pet rent, deposits and one-time pet fees there by amount and frequency, so you can compare listings before you tour rather than being surprised at lease signing.

If you’re a dog owner, you might have to pay an additional pet deposit depending on their size or breed. You may also have to pay extra for insurance that covers your dog, or even rent on a month-to-month basis until your pooch earns your landlord’s approval.

3. Ask for a conversation

If you have your eye on a particular rental house or apartment complex and you’re unsure of their pet policy or think there may be flexibility, ask upfront if they allow pets. If you get a “no” and you’re pretty set on calling this place home, ask if you can discuss things. You might have success convincing the owner of single family rental homes or smaller complexes to change their minds, especially if they have pets of their own. Always lean on talking with the landlord to arrive at a solution — and never hide the fact that you’ll be living with a pet in the rental.

4. Write a pet resume

It might sound surprising, but submitting a resume for your pet could sway your landlord — some places even require them. This document can attest to your pet’s good behavior. Have they completed any training courses? How are they with kids?

Additionally, to prove that you’re a responsible pet owner, have your pet’s current vaccinations and license available to share with the landlord. And a cute photo might just win over a doubtful property owner.

If the circumstances allow, consider offering to bring your pet to meet the property owner. This could give you an opportunity to show how well-trained your pet is and put your potential future landlord’s mind at ease.

5. Contact your local pet organizations for pet-friendly rental directories

Local pet organizations often have a list of pet-friendly apartments in your area. The Humane Society has a list of tips for finding rental housing with pets, information about pet-owner rights and tips for keeping both your pet and landlord happy, once you land your rental.

You could also lean on your neighbors and fellow dog owners. Check Facebook groups, or sites like NextDoor and Reddit to see what leads people might have. If you have a particularly large dog, or one that’s classified as an aggressive breed, you may have an even harder time finding a rental that’s right for the whole family. Your local animal shelter, breed rescue or advocacy group likely has a list of apartment communities that will accept your specific breed. For example, the website My Pit Bull is Family has a list of pit bull-friendly rental housing providers in each state.

6. Review your lease before signing

If you wind up finding a listing that seems like a good fit, that’s a huge task off your plate. The property manager says they’ll accept your dog or cat, and the rent and fees are within your budget. But don’t let your excitement rush you into a lease.

Read your lease agreement over and see if there are size restrictions that would increase your pet fee — or disqualify you from living there altogether. It should also spell out if said fee or rent is per pet, and be sure you understand what rules you and your pet have to follow. If you have a question or were told something that isn’t mentioned in the lease, ask your landlord to clarify.

Be sure to document any fees and other pet-related factors in writing if they’re not already included. This can cover you in case anything unexpected happens that you’d previously discussed with your landlord.