Pet friendly rentals (Manchester, Nashua, Concord: real estate, apartments, renter)

[LoveSnow]

My plan A (a realistic one) to move to NH would be to start with a rental in an area close to a big city or in a big city itself. It seems easier to get your life on track in a big city. Then take a better look around, choose a smaller town and buy a house with a land there.

We have a big dog. Not quite as big as a German shepherd, but a bit bigger than a boxer.

In Texas it is no problem to rent with a dog. When we just moved here and were looking for a house to rent, I can't even remember a property listing that would say "No pets". I guess, competition makes landlords more flexible.

In other states, and especially in smaller towns, it was difficult to find a rental that welcomes pets, especially big dogs.

Will we have a problem in NH? I am thinking Manchester, Nashua and smaller towns around. Concord area is also on my short list, depending on job situation.

[jthibodeau]

I hate to be harsh because I know most responsible people care for their animals with their utmost ability. However, you just may have a problem here also. Many landlords view pets as one of the fastest ways to destroy expensive carpeting or flooring in an apartment. Coming from having experience as a landlord, my most costly repairs have been due to pets. In all truth, it's not the fault of the pet but usually the fault of the tenant or pet owner due to improper care for the animal. Let's face it, when your dog has to go and the caregiver has to work 8 to 10 hours a day, he or she will find a spot and once it starts it can continue for a long time even without your knowledge. My best suggestion for you is to somehow document that your pet causes no damage to previous apartments and your routine for care of the animal is proper so no "accidents" may occur. Hope this helps.....

[Tarastomsgirl]

My biggest problem was finding a rental that would allow my dog. He's a tiny 8lb toy poodle. I even told the landlords I would crate him when we're not home so nothing would happen... It took me 3 months to find a rental that would allow him and I ended up having to put down a $500 pet deposit.

[LoveSnow]

I understand homeowners' concerns. But that's why we pay deposit and sign an agreement to fix everything that was damaged. I dunnow what I would do if I was a landlord. Some petless people I saw mess up their homes more than families with multiple dogs.

Anyway, she is an outside dog. But some people are concerned about dogs digging holes. Yeah, they do it. But it can be patched. big deal...

jthibodeau, thank you for a good idea - I will make sure to get a letter form our landlord about our dog on their property.

[ab1222]

I'm sorry but I just have to respond to this; I have been a landlord of a townhouse, I did allow pets with rules and periodic inspections, and my experience was that 90% of the pet owners were very good about following my rules about picking up after their dogs, keeping their townhouse clean and had no damage. To be 100% honest, it was the people with the little kids that caused the most damage, not to mention the most noise! You can't ask for a security deposit for kids like you can pets, but I spent so much money to fix the drawing and coloring on walls, stickers stuck to walls, broken knobs, parts of toys stuck in holes in the walls caused by kids throwing things, drinks spilled on carpets, candy and food ground into the carpet, trash, french fries all over the ground, toys all over the stairs and walkways, screaming, running, parents yelling. Yet if you say anything about these things people think you are cruel or hate children. Look, I have kids myself and they were taught how to act, however most parents today don't teach their kids how to act. I would rent to a responsible pet owner before I would someone with out of control kids. I have a lot of respect for the very few good parents left, but to deny someone a place to live because they have pets is unfair. If you're a landlord, make rules, do periodic inspections. For some people who cannot have children their pets ARE their children. They have just as much right to live where they want as anyone else. And please, parents don't post accusing me of not liking children becaue that is not true; just please understand people with loving pets should have rights too.

[chicy724]

I have noticed finding an apartment that allows pets is nearly impossible unless I have $1000+ a month to put out for rent on a 1 bedroom.
I had a kitty, she was my precious little kitty and I love her to death and I take great care of her, she has lots of toys and things to occupy her and I trim her nails all the time, but no apartments were accepting pets when I was looking. I looked a lot of apartments that were dumps and didn't include utilities, and didn't allow pets. I found a nice, up to date 1 bedroom apartment for $675 including central ac/heat, and I couldn't pass it up after seeing the dumps I saw for the same plus utilities. I asked if I could have my kitty, and the woman flat out refused because she is 'deathly allergic' and her own Uncle was interested in the apartment but had a cat so he couldn't take it. The woman is rarely here and when she is, she is in the Office down the hall. I would have given her an extra couple of hundred $ for a deposit but it was out of the question.
Good thing my mom allowed me to let her stay @ their home.. I wouldn't have taken the apartment if that weren't an option and I would have lived a dump just to keep her. Unfair.
I keep looking in the paper periodically to check for pet friendly rentals and the only ones that are are more expensive, but I am not even at option to get out of my lease right now. I may never get to have my kitty in my posession again unless I move to another state.
I wonder why NH seems to never allow pets. It stinks.
Good Luck... but it may be a rare occasion to find a pet friendly place. Perhaps contact some Real Estate Offices.. I noticed most of the time the listings allowing pets are advertised through them.

[ded2bred]

I am looking for a rental house in Southern New Hampshire. I have three medium sized dogs that were all adopted from the ASPCA. They have always been indoor dogs and up until last year, I owned my home but had to sell it when I moved to New Hampshire after I got married. My dogs are cleaner, better behaved and definitely quieter than most peoples kids. I have nice furniture, and my husband and I are home 90% of the time because I am retired, and he works from home using his computer. When we both go out of town, we board the dogs. They are older and don't run around allot and I don't remeber the last time they had an accident in the house. I am in the back yard with them, and poop is scooped immediately. I have told perspective landlords that I will put down a large pet deposit (and did at our current rental). My husband and I have excellent credit and references, pay the rent on time and take care of a home as if it were our own. Mowing, fertilizing, weeding etc. A few weeks ago,we were on the roof doing snow removal on the house we are renting now, the problem is we live in a property that has been neglected for years, is in poor shape and have a landlord that is charging us a premium price because we have dogs. My husband and I are both handy with tools and remodeling so many things that the landlord would have paid to have done is done for the cost of materials. With the economy the way it is, now is not the time to buy.
I am so disheartened...I wish landlords would take tenants on a case by case basis instead of being so negative. There are always going to be people that neglect and trash rental property, but is there any hope for those of us that go the extra mile?

[boscoo]

I plan on buying rental property soon here in So. NH and will most likely allow pets. I agree, this could be a bit of a risk, but if I attract good tenants and can still produce an income on the property knowing a reasonable security would help pay for any issues, I think it's good business. I'm a pet owner and former renter and realize how tough it is. I will let you know when I find something that I can rent as a "pet friendly apartment or house".

[AngelaK]

I have noticed that it is extremely rare around here for pets to be welcome in a rental, which makes it really difficult for a lot of people. We were looking to possibly rent before we bought our house, and we couldn't find anything that would allow our very well behaved 13 pound dog...it was very frustrating. We now own our own two family in Manchester and have always allowed pets-size and number negotiable, and we have never had a problem. If you screen for really good tenants, you usually end up with really good pets!!! DM if you are still looking for an apartment, mine is available in Aug!!

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by AngelaK

I have noticed that it is extremely rare around here for pets to be welcome in a rental, which makes it really difficult for a lot of people. We were looking to possibly rent before we bought our house, and we couldn't find anything that would allow our very well behaved 13 pound dog...it was very frustrating. We now own our own two family in Manchester and have always allowed pets-size and number negotiable, and we have never had a problem. If you screen for really good tenants, you usually end up with really good pets!!! DM if you are still looking for an apartment, mine is available in Aug!!

Valerie C is a Real Estate Agent and does post on this board often. She is very knowledgeable about all of New Hampshire and would be a good person to speak with.