How to Get a Landlord Pet Approval Letter

Adopting a new pet is a major step for anyone. But especially if you’re a renter, the commitment to take care of a pet comes with the responsibility of getting your landlord’s approval to have one in the first place. In fact, many shelters and rescues will require this approval before you can adopt.

You may dread the process of getting permission (who doesn’t?), and that’s exactly why we created this guide to obtaining a pet approval letter from your landlord. With some planning, you can assure them that you’re a responsible pet parent who has given thought to safety and cleanliness as you introduce your pet to their new home. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why landlord approval is necessary

Let’s make this abundantly clear: Sneaking a pet into your rented home without landlord approval is a horrible idea. You risk being evicted and fined by violating any no-pet clauses in your lease, which, in turn, can potentially impact your credit score and make it harder for you to find new housing. Your landlord may also be able to collect rent from you through the end of your lease — or, if they so decide, until they secure a new tenant. 

But what if you decide to stand your ground and not leave your rented abode? Your landlord may have the right to have your pet removed from the premises (after some legal procedures). 

What to do before approaching your landlord

Preparation is everything. It makes you look organized and trustworthy, thus reassuring your landlord that you and your pet will be good tenants. Here’s a checklist of things to do.

1. Review your lease agreement

Start by studying your lease to see if there are any no-pet clauses or limited-pet clauses (which may discriminate by weight, height, and/or breed). If pets are allowed, make sure you clearly understand pet fees, which landlords can legally tack onto your rent.

2. Craft a persuasive request for pet approval

For legal purposes, it is important to document this process in writing. To kick off a pet approval conversation, draft an email or letter to your landlord requesting a meeting. Below is a suggested structure for your sample landlord pet approval letter to make your letter look as buttoned-up as possible.

Start with:

1. Your full name and current address

2. The date

3. Your landlord’s name and the rental unit’s address

4. A subject line that says something like, “Apartment Pet Approval”

5. Address the letter to the landlord.

6. The body of the letter should contain the below information.

• Explain that you are requesting permission for a newly adopted pet (include the type of animal) to live with you.

• Emphasize that you are polite, quiet, and clean and that your pet will receive the exercise and attention they need to remain happy and calm.

• Acknowledge that you are willing to pay a standard pet fee.

• State your desire to sign a pet agreement and amend the lease with any contingencies they see fit.

• Assure them that you communicate well with neighbors and intend to put their needs first to maintain a peaceful environment.

End by listing your contact information, alongside a request to meet in person to discuss adding a pet to your lease.

3. Be prepared to address potential concerns

A big part of this communication is projecting confidence in you and your pet to your landlord. This may seem intimidating, but the more prepared you are, the smoother the process will be. 

Once your pet is approved, get an approval letter and have the lease amended to include this approval to negate any pet bans written into the document.

Secure references

Ask a former landlord or property manager for a written reference attesting to how respectful and reliable you are. (A fellow lessor vouching for you will go far.) You can also ask previous neighbors to write character references, so it’s clear you make getting along with neighbors a priority.

Know your rights

If you have a disability, your right to have a service dog is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA). The organization does not require certification or registration, but you may want to get a vest that indicates your dog is a service animal anyhow. This is a safeguard for you because not all disabilities are visually obvious to other people.

However, if your pet is an emotional support animal (or ESA), ask a licensed mental health professional to pen an ESA letter on your behalf. This document indicates that you legally qualify for this protection. 

Consider compensating your landlord

If there is no pet fee in the lease, do your research by checking with friends and other apartment websites so you can offer a reasonable monthly fee for having your pet live with you. 

Show them your insurance policy

Assure the landlord that, out of an abundance of caution, you’ll also be buying renter’s insurance and/or pet liability insurance, which would cover any possible damage or injuries caused by your pet. 

Get a doggie DNA test

If you’re getting a dog, know that certain dog breeds, such as Pit Bulls and German Shepherd Dogs, are frequently on restricted-pet lists due to breed-specific legislation. If you have a larger mixed-breed dog, it can help to get a Wisdom Panel DNA test to reassure your landlord of your dog’s breed heritage.

If your dog tends to be a commonly restricted dog breed, don’t despair. Check out the “How to Find Pit-Bull Friendly Housing” guide for more help on this front.

Zen Chung / Pexels/

How to approach the initial conversation

Remember all that preparation you did in anticipation of this conversation? Here’s where all your hard work will shine.

Provide assurances of responsibility

Come with what you’ve organized: letters of recommendation, a summary of the insurance you intend to get, and any pet-fee research you have. Remember to be positive and pleasant, and arrive knowing you’ll need to listen and negotiate. Being defensive or stubborn will get you nowhere.

Alert them to any disabilities

Politely informing your landlord of any ADA or ESA protections is a gentle way of asserting your rights and protecting them from legal recourse. Needless to say, you should never fake your ADA or ESA rights because this is considered fraud and can get you fined and/or put in jail.

Introduce them to your pet

Have a picture of your pet on hand to show the landlord. If your pet is friendly with strangers, and if your future landlord is amenable, offer to have them meet in person to assure them that your pet is friendly. Arm all humans with treats, and let the charm unfold.

What to do if your pet approval request is denied

If your pet-approval request is denied, start by asking why it was denied. This may turn out to be a condition you can adjust, fix, or control. 

For instance, perhaps the landlord needed more details about your renter’s or pet liability insurance, or maybe they simply want more of a pet deposit. Or if you work from home, knowing that you’ll almost always be in the dog’s presence can be reassuring to them. Or if they’re worried about behavior issues and you plan to invest in a pet trainer or behaviorist, explain that to them as well. Instead of taking “no” for an answer or clapping back defensively, initiate a chat in which you talk about any sticky terms with them. 

Meanwhile, if you are covered under the ADA or by the ESA, calmly discuss your legal rights with them. (The most successful course of action here is through peaceful resolution.) But if they’re still not persuaded and you’d like to get more assertive, you can file a complaint with the ADA, or for ESA violations, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As you know, the government moves at a snail’s pace, so you might want to also contact an attorney. 

Keeping up with pet-related responsibilities

Pets can be work, and managing their perception by your neighbors and landlord is part of that job. The following are a few things you can do to keep the peace.

• Politely address any neighbor concerns or questions in a timely manner.

• Socialize your pet with humans and other animals to mitigate fears and anxiety.

• Make sure your pet gets enough exercise and attention.

• If barking becomes an issue, get training or behavioral help immediately.

• Place rugs around your home to keep the noise down and floors free of scuffs.

• Keep your pet on a leash whenever you’re outdoors.

• Always clean up after your pet in public spaces.

Commonly asked questions

Why are landlords reluctant to accept pets?

Landlords may be reluctant to accept pets into their buildings for a few reasons. First, they could be concerned that your pet will incur enough wear to the housing that any deposit may not cover the damage. (For cats, this can also include spraying odors.) Secondly, they may worry about noise complaints, especially if you have a dog. And to that end, if you have a pup, they might fear your pet could bite or injure someone, possibly putting the landlord in the crosshairs for liability.

What to do when your landlord says your pet must leave?

If your landlord says your pet must leave, you should approach them to discuss tactics that may sway their opinion, such as a larger pet deposit and renter’s insurance. If they don’t budge, you have two unfortunate options: Either you rehome your pet (if they’ll let you stay), or you both leave.

How do I get my landlord to say yes to my dog?

You can get your landlord to say yes to your dog by starting with a letter in which you ask about adding your pet to the lease. Present them with any references you have, show them a picture of your pet (or have them meet in person), offer to pay a pet fee, and assure them you’ll get renters or pet insurance. Once they’ve approved your pet, ask for a landlord approval letter and have them amend the lease to reflect that approval.

Do you need written consent from your landlord before adopting?

Responsible rescues and shelters will ask if you rent, and if so, will require landlord approval before adopting a pet to you. But if they don’t, it is still imperative to get prior approval for your pet’s and your own protection. Bringing home a pet without full disclosure could result in termination of your lease, fines, or even the legal removal of your pet from your home. 

References

“ADA Requirements: Service Animals.” ADA.gov, 4 Aug. 2023, www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements.

“File a Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).” HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 20 Sept. 2017, www.hud.gov/i_want_to/file_a_fair_housing_discrimination_complaint

“How to Find an Attorney to Help You with Your Animal-Related Issues.” Animal Legal Defense Fund, 29 Oct. 2020, aldf.org/article/how-to-find-an-attorney-to-help-you-with-your-animal-related-issues.

“Information for Renters with Pets.” The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/resources/information-renters-pets.

Povich, Elaine S. “States Struggle to Curb Fake Emotional Support Animals.” Stateline, 4 Nov. 2022, stateline.org/2022/11/04/states-struggle-to-curb-fake-emotional-support-animals.

‌Staff, AKC. “What Happens If You Sneak a Dog into Your Apartment?” American Kennel Club, 24 Feb. 2020, www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/happens-if-sneak-pet-into-rental. 

‌Yelpix. “How to Convince Your Landlord to Allow a Dog into Your Home.” US Service Animals Blog, 20 Apr. 2021, usserviceanimals.org/blog/convince-landlord-to-allow-dog-into-your-home.