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My husband and I have rented out an apartment in our place for years and didn't even get a pet deposit, but we have found that in the Asheville area, where supposedly it is so animal friendly, we can't find one place that doesn't charge at least $250.00 per pet. This is so greedy in my opinion, and totally unfair. This is going to create so many animals being left for abandonment, and "lucky" ones to be put down in shelters. I am disappointed and disheartened that Asheville is like this.
All those people that abandoned and beat your adoptions..yeah well they are the ones that created the 250 deposit for you, due to the neglect and damage they have caused.
It's sad and depressing, but it's the reason for the deposit. Most cities require more than that.
Bless you for taking in animals. I started a Border Collie Rescue at my ranch. It's amazing the condition these brilliant dogs come to me in.
I'm sorry for your experience, but I have to say that this really is the most pet-friendly city I've ever lived in. Asheville has several prominent animal rescue groups, and many other local businesses regularly hold fundraisers for them or at least keep piggy banks out to help them raise money. I have also never seen so many dog parks, doggy day cares, pet boutiques, and dog bakeries, not to mention all the pet-friendly stores and restaurants downtown and in West Asheville. The Hop even sells ice cream for dogs. I have always been charged at least a month's rent for a pet deposit, no matter where I've lived. Please don't take it as a sign that Asheville doesn't care about animals.
Be happy that you found a place that even accepts pets, especially dogs. It is very difficult everywhere these days to rent with pets, and I for one would happily pay a deposit to keep my beloved animals. And in the interest of fairness, as another poster pointed out, many landlords have learned the hard way just how much damage a pet can cause when the owner is irresponsible. I am happy to hear that Asheville is pet-friendly, and can't wait to visit!
I agree, SS. When I lived in an apartment and had a dog and/or cat, I think I paid more of a deposit than that (and that would have been a long time ago). The fact the apartment complex took pets at all was considered "pet friendly" in those locales. If my (aging) memory serves me, more than half of the apartment complexes "just said no."
I understand the angst, though. My wife volunteers with Animal Compassion Network. I was with her there one day when an older couple came in with their dog. They were moving to a retirement community that did not allow dogs of any size. Watching them say goodbye, even though they intended to stay in contact with the eventual person who adopted the dog, was the second most gut-wrenching thing I've seen recently (we lost our beloved 12-1/2 year old pit bull to a heart problem a few months ago, and the trip to the vet and time there knowing he was dying was worse, but maybe that was because I was on the receiving end of that).
Still, let's not confuse pet-friendly (or anything else friendly) with somebody assuming the risk for the person with the pet (or anything else). I understood my having a dog/cat created a risk for the landlord, and it was my responsibility to help mitigate that risk. I can't say how they do it here, but one complex I went through this with routinely replaced the carpets when a tenant with a pet moved out, even if they had lived there only six months to a year (quicker than they would have otherwise). It wasn't so much a hedge against "indoor accidents" but out of fear the next tenant may be allergic to pet hair and they could not ensure they had removed it all any other way.
Funny thing is now that our boy is gone, I had to replace a molding in my downstairs office and we are replacing the carpet due to some issues with separation anxiety in his later years. I gladly bear the expense for the 11-1/2 years of companionship he provided, but if I was doing this for someone else I would probably be less philosophical.
$250 charge or a refundable deposit? It's largely the fault of pet owners who don't clean up after their pets. I had a rental property where the cat peed on the carpets so much it damaged the wood underneath. When we bought a house later, we had to hire a service to vaccum out the dog hair from the previous owner's pet from the air vents. I do love animals and have volunteered at animal shelters for years. If there were more pets spayed/neutered, there'd be less of a pet overpopulation. Probably a long shot, but have you asked the Asheville humane society for tips on finding apartments without big pet deposits? $250 doesn't strike me as much, especially if it's refundable.
It was $250.00 per pet and I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. $500.00 maximum with no return of deposit would be more fair, in my opinion, but I rented my apt to folks that all had pets. My experience was good in that there was no bad damage.
You just need to look harder. I just rented a large (custom built) green home in the North Asheville area and the homeowner of this 4yr old home that has custom floors, quality paint, etc....accepted our 2 dogs (border collie & yellow lab), 5 chickens (with chicken coop) and cats. He did not even charge us a pet deposit.....
Any other place I have rented here has allowed pets with a refundable pet deposit. There are plenty of half-backs who own homes here but live elsewhere that rent with non-refundable deposits....so stay away.
There are even animal-friendly property mgmt companies here....Alpha Real Estate for instance.
The fact that most stores (many are chains) allow pets inside (non service animals) is a testament to the liberal nature of this community. There are a couple of off-leash dog parks (a rarity in many cities) and even apartment complexes with dog runs and/or dog parks on their property for residents to enjoy (Audubon Place Apartments for instance....)
You just need to look harder. I just rented a large (custom built) green home in the North Asheville area and the homeowner of this 4yr old home that has custom floors, quality paint, etc....accepted our 2 dogs (border collie & yellow lab), 5 chickens (with chicken coop) and cats. He did not even charge us a pet deposit.....
Any other place I have rented here has allowed pets with a refundable pet deposit. There are plenty of half-backs who own homes here but live elsewhere that rent with non-refundable deposits....so stay away.
There are even animal-friendly property mgmt companies here....Alpha Real Estate for instance.
The fact that most stores (many are chains) allow pets inside (non service animals) is a testament to the liberal nature of this community. There are a couple of off-leash dog parks (a rarity in many cities) and even apartment complexes with dog runs and/or dog parks on their property for residents to enjoy (Audubon Place Apartments for instance....)
Thanks so much for letting me know this. Gives me hope again.Also, I love the fact that you have chickens.
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Also, I love the fact that you have chickens.
