Pet-unfriendly rentals in Oahu (real estate, apartments, condo)

[Plumeria20]

According to various rental/real estate sites, many rental apartments/townhouses/houses in Hawaii do not allow pets. Those with pets, how do you keep pets if you don’t own your place?

Plumeria20

[Dthraco]

Played that game before we bought a condo in Waikiki and then again after we sold it before moving back to the mainland. (10 years total in HI)

Overall it’s a tough market to find rentals if you have pets. Many condo buildings have bylaws that don’t allow pets. The one’s that do, charge a premium and the owners charge pet rent. Occasionally you can find an owner that will allow pets and not charge pet rent, but that’s pretty rare.

We paid pet rent (for pets, not per pet) in the first two condo’s we lived in before buying our own. Had 3 cats. Mostly we just had to find landlords that would allow it. The first place we moved into was not a nice place to live, but it gave us the ability to play the ‘game’. Good rentals are snatched up really quick because there are alot of people in that same situation….in a bad place looking for a nice one.

My experience was on Oahu, don’t have any input for the other islands. Best of luck.

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by Dthraco

Played that game before we bought a condo in Waikiki and then again after we sold it before moving back to the mainland. (10 years total in HI)

Overall it’s a tough market to find rentals if you have pets. Many condo buildings have bylaws that don’t allow pets. The one’s that do, charge a premium and the owners charge pet rent. Occasionally you can find an owner that will allow pets and not charge pet rent, but that’s pretty rare.

We paid pet rent (for pets, not per pet) in the first two condo’s we lived in before buying our own. Had 3 cats. Mostly we just had to find landlords that would allow it. The first place we moved into was not a nice place to live, but it gave us the ability to play the ‘game’. Good rentals are snatched up really quick because there are alot of people in that same situation….in a bad place looking for a nice one.

My experience was on Oahu, don’t have any input for the other islands. Best of luck.

Hello Dthraco,

Thank you for your input.
Yes, looks like we’d need to play the "game" in Oahu, the first island being considered for the move.
We have 2 cats.

May I ask why you’ve moved back to mainland after a decade in Oahu?

Plumeria20

[whtviper1]

Pet friendly rentals can certainly be found on Oahu and I see plenty listed.

With that said, your options will be much more limited. For rentals that exclude pets, you can always try to proactively offer more rent per month.

Oahu is not a pet friendly rental area simply because demand for rentals is strong and landlords don't have to offer that incentive.

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Pet friendly rentals can certainly be found on Oahu and I see plenty listed.

With that said, your options will be much more limited. For rentals that exclude pets, you can always try to proactively offer more rent per month.

Oahu is not a pet friendly rental area simply because demand for rentals is strong and landlords don't have to offer that incentive.

Hello whtviper1,

I do see a limited number of pet-friendly rentals around Oahu. Maybe one out of 10 rentals.
Another concern would be how the cats are going to tolerate and survive the trip across the ocean…

Plumeria20

[prospectheightsresident]

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

Hello whtviper1,

I do see a limited number of pet-friendly rentals around Oahu. Maybe one out of 10 rentals.
Another concern would be how the cats are going to tolerate and survive the trip across the ocean…

Plumeria20

Do your cats have any health issues identified by a vet that give you concern? Otherwise, I wouldn't be concerned about that. Plenty of pets (cats, dogs, etc.) make that trip daily. My cat has made it twice; once in 2019 and once in 2022.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

Hello whtviper1,

I do see a limited number of pet-friendly rentals around Oahu. Maybe one out of 10 rentals.
Another concern would be how the cats are going to tolerate and survive the trip across the ocean…

Plumeria20

Your cats will be annoyed, that’s about it. (Mine have made the trip a few times)

[Beachbum808]

Here is a link to the Hawaiian Humane Society "Pets in Housing" page. Click on their link for an exhaustive list of pet friendly buildings on Oahu, by region: https://hawaiianhumane.org/pets-in-housing/

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by Beachbum808

Here is a link to the Hawaiian Humane Society "Pets in Housing" page. Click on their link for an exhaustive list of pet friendly buildings on Oahu, by region: https://hawaiianhumane.org/pets-in-housing/

Beachbum808,

Just what we needed! Mahalo!

Plumeria20

[WaikikiBoy]

I appreciate that you’re asking about pets and looking to find a rental the right way.

My condo building does not allow pets based on association by-laws. Yet, I still have occasionally seen a pet. One had a service dog jacket on. But it was just a little pug that likely was not really trained/certified as an actual service dog. And another little dog that didn’t even bother to have a service jacket. Thankfully, both pets seem to be gone now.

Anyway, I appreciate that you are exploring the appropriate options.