Pit Bull Friendly Rentals... (Tampa, Clearwater: apartments, home, high school)

[Chellz]

My friend and his daughter are looking for a place to rent in Tampa near Leto High School that takes Pit Bulls. They have one that's almost six years old, she's an inside dog, and she has arthritis. She's really no threat at all.

Does anyone know where they could find a place that will take their pit? They need a three bedroom, around $900.00 a month. House, duplex, apartment, anything that's decent and will take the dog.

Anyway, thanks everyone! Lemme know!

[mquintana]

You won't find an apartment community that will take one. Trust me, I know-I am an assistant manager here in Brandon and I know a lot about other communites in the Tampa Bay area. Pit Bulls are considered a liability and the management companies want nothing to do with them.....even if yours is sweet as pie. Sorry. You should look for a private owner.

[Eastern Roamer]

a lot of private owners post ads on craigslist.com. I don't know about that price range, though... good luck.

[DustyButt]

I fielded a question similar to this in the DC forum.

I have rottweiler that's formally trained in German, and is a friendly dog (and waaaaay too nice!). No one would even let me come in to even meet him.

So, as the time came for me to get an apartment (literally, I was a week away from being homeless or giving him to a pound) ...I lied. He doesn't have papers and he's all black, so I say he's a Black Lab. He's 115 pounds with a big flat Rottie head, big shoulders, and a little waist, but no one thinks twice.

My suggestion is that if the dog owner is POSITIVE that their dog is safe and NOT A DANGER TO ANYONE... find a breed that's not on the restricted breed list that most resembles your dog ...and LIE. That's the only way to move into an apartment development with tight dog restrictions.

Pretty much after you move in most places won't even think about you or your dog again. Even if they do become suspicious, as long as your dog doesn't have papers they could never prove otherwise. Besides I'm a firm believer that a dog is only as dangerous as it's owner is careless.

[flburgos]

Originally Posted by Chellz

My friend and his daughter are looking for a place to rent in Tampa near Leto High School that takes Pit Bulls. They have one that's almost six years old, she's an inside dog, and she has arthritis. She's really no threat at all.

Does anyone know where they could find a place that will take their pit? They need a three bedroom, around $900.00 a month. House, duplex, apartment, anything that's decent and will take the dog.

Anyway, thanks everyone! Lemme know!

that's a lot of baggage a pit bull.there ain't too many owners that would rent to someone with a pitbull because of the liability even though "she's harmless".my suggestion is find a place that pet's are ok and if they don't ask what kind of dog just go with the flow.

[EllenDi]

I don't think it would be a good idea to lie because you could very well be found out (the neighbors could complain about your dog) and then you could be out some money for breaking the lease requirements. Not a smart move.

Originally Posted by DustyButt

I fielded a question similar to this in the DC forum.

I have rottweiler that's formally trained in German, and is a friendly dog (and waaaaay too nice!). No one would even let me come in to even meet him.

So, as the time came for me to get an apartment (literally, I was a week away from being homeless or giving him to a pound) ...I lied. He doesn't have papers and he's all black, so I say he's a Black Lab. He's 115 pounds with a big flat Rottie head, big shoulders, and a little waist, but no one thinks twice.

My suggestion is that if the dog owner is POSITIVE that their dog is safe and NOT A DANGER TO ANYONE... find a breed that's not on the restricted breed list that most resembles your dog ...and LIE. That's the only way to move into an apartment development with tight dog restrictions.

Pretty much after you move in most places won't even think about you or your dog again. Even if they do become suspicious, as long as your dog doesn't have papers they could never prove otherwise. Besides I'm a firm believer that a dog is only as dangerous as it's owner is careless.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by EllenDi

I don't think it would be a good idea to lie because you could very well be found out (the neighbors could complain about your dog) and then you could be out some money for breaking the lease requirements. Not a smart move.

You can lie, if it's not pure bread and they can't tell! If it is a pure bread, that's hard. My dog is a huskey mix. Most apartments don't take huskeys. I told them she was just a "mutt." They even met her. Not a problem at all!

I would just contact a private landlord, offer references for the dog, a large deposit, and offer to have them meet the dog.

[kmorrissey]

I agree with lying about the breed, its a shame that good pet owners have to do that in order to keeps their pets, but you can blame that on arogant people not the animal. When I lived in Clearwater Fl. I could not find a place to live because of my 10yr old Pit Bull. that I would not give up for anyone. What I did was asked her Vet. to change her breed on all of her shot records which he did without hesitating. She is now half Beagle and half Hound. I had no further issues. You can tell that she is Pit but without papers or proof. No landlord can deny or evict you for breed restrictions.

[jessiesma]

and when landlords catch on to "mixed breeds" that look like the more benign they'll start banning all pets the way they used to. not too long ago and still in some areas of the country,you can't get ANY pet into a rental for any amount of money. didn't you ever hear that "honesty is the best policy?"

Originally Posted by kmorrissey

I agree with lying about the breed, its a shame that good pet owners have to do that in order to keeps their pets, but you can blame that on arogant people not the animal. When I lived in Clearwater Fl. I could not find a place to live because of my 10yr old Pit Bull. that I would not give up for anyone. What I did was asked her Vet. to change her breed on all of her shot records which he did without hesitating. She is now half Beagle and half Hound. I had no further issues. You can tell that she is Pit but without papers or proof. No landlord can deny or evict you for breed restrictions.

[DustyButt]

Originally Posted by jessiesma

and when landlords catch on to "mixed breeds" that look like the more benign they'll start banning all pets the way they used to. not too long ago and still in some areas of the country,you can't get ANY pet into a rental for any amount of money. didn't you ever hear that "honesty is the best policy?"

Sorry, but as long as they need to rent units they'll never stop renting to pet owners. Sure honesty is the best policy if you don't mind putting your pet into a pound that will take your pet and put it to sleep if they cant find a home for it in X days.

Besides that, if your pet is trained and it doesn't hurt anyone, nobody cares. I've never heard of someone getting thrown out of an apartment because the neighbors SUSPECT a pet is a restricted breed. If you think my dog isn't what I say it is I say prove it.