Assistant animals can be a great source of companionship and support, especially for people living in affordable housing. However, assistant animals can also cause damage to an apartment complex or an apartment unit, which can be costly for apartments and tenants alike.
Here are some tips for dealing with assistant animal damage in affordable housing:
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Talk to your Property Manager about the apartment’s pet policy
Some apartment complexes have breed restrictions or require pet deposits and fees. Be sure to request for permission from your property manager to keep an assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More at the apartment complex. Some leases may prohibit residents from keeping petsAll Olympia Management properties have a no pet policy. Please Note: It is important for you as the renter to contact the property manager regarding restrictions on pets. More of any kind at the community. However, if an resident with disabilities requests permission to keep an assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More, they can get approval if the resident qualifies as disabled under federal law and provides documentation from a health care provider that the assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More is needed for a specific disability.
Be a responsible assistance animal owner
Train your assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More and make sure they are well-behaved. Clean up after your assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More regularly. This will help prevent messes and odor. Take your assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More to the vet for regular checkups. This will help ensure that your assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More is healthy and not destructive.
Be proactive
The best way to avoid assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More damage is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Make sure your assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More is well-trained and socialized, and provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained.
Document everything
As soon as you move in, take photos and videos to document the condition of the apartment unit. This will help you and you property manager if there is any confusion on whether or not your assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More caused any damages.
Be honest with your Property Manager
If your pet does cause damage, be honest with your property manager about what happened. Don’t try to hide the damage or blame it on something else. The sooner you tell your property manager about the damage, the sooner they can start the repair process.
What covers damage caused by your assistance animal in your apartment unit?
There are two main types of financial protection that may cover pet damage in an apartment: security deposits and renters insurance.
- Security deposits: Security deposits are typically refundable, but they can be used to cover the cost of repairs if a tenantA legal resident of a rental property. More damages the property during their leaseA written agreement between an owner and a family for the leasing of a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling unit to the family. More. This includes pet damage, such as scratched floors or torn carpets.
- Renters insurance: Renters insurance is not typically required by property managers, but it can provide financial protection for both the tenantA legal resident of a rental property. More and their belongings. Renters insurance typically covers damage to personal property from events such as fire, theft, or vandalism. However, it does not typically cover pet damage to the interior of the apartment.
By adhering to these valuable tips, you play a vital role in cultivating a animal-friendly and welcoming environment within your affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More community. With our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional management and ensuring tenantA legal resident of a rental property. More well-being, Olympia ManagementOlympia Management, Inc. exists to meet the needs of the affordable housing community by providing top-quality living conditions, excellent management, compassionate interaction with tenants, and cons... More, Inc. understands the importance of creating a high-quality living experience. It is through diligent adherence to responsible assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More ownership practices, respect for your neighbors’ boundaries, and actively fostering a sense of community that we can guarantee a safe and inclusive space for all residents, both furry and human. Together, let us prioritize security, peace of mind, and the needs of our affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More community, forging a truly welcoming haven for everyone.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding an assistance animalAn assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more ident... More, our dedicated team is here to assist you. We are here to support you every step of the way, please contact us today at 256.894.2382.