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*Meantioning a pet to a landlord in the first few questions is important to determine if the landlord allows pets or has any limitations and fees associated with having pets, Wertzberger said.*
Barbara Platts/KANSAN
problems when it came to housing her husky-German shepherd mix, Josephine.
"A big obstacle was the pet deposit," Leibold said. "I had to give half of a month's rent for the dog."
By law, half a month's rent is the most
a landlord can charge for a pet deposit. Robert Baker, director of education at Housing and Credit Counseling Inc., said that although landlords were restricted in the amount of money they could charge on a pet deposit, the law did not restrict the number of pets.
"The only thing that is
clearly defined in the Kansas Tenants Handbook is the amount you can charge for the pet deposit." Baker said. "However, pet could be singular or plural."
Each landlord is able to decide if they want to allow pets in the space they are renting. They are also able to determine the standards and requirements for the pets.
"There are often odd requirements," Baker said. "I have seen one that limits a
"I have seen one that limits a pet to being no taller than six inches off the ground."
ROBERT BAKER Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. education director
pet to being no taller than six inches off the ground."
A pet can often be a difficult roommate for a college student. Leibold said she had to give up her canine friend because her current environment didn't work with a
dog.
"I decided to give the dog to my parents. It's hard to have a dog in college, especially in an apartment," Leibold said.
But for those who want to have a dog, finding a place that fits the pet's criteria is crucial. Wertzberger recommended looking at places with fences.
"If you are driving around
If you are driving around looking for 'for rent' signs and you see a fence in the backyard, that is often a good sign that they allow pets," he said.
After a year in an apartment with her dog, Leibold said her best piece of advice was to make sure the pet always had enough room.
"Space. Lots of space," Leibold said. "It's less about the apartment and more about the dog."
Edited by Sam Speer
NO SECURITY DEPOSIT*
NO APPLICATION FEE*
"THE BEST NEST IN TOWN"
785.841.5255 1421 W. 7th St.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSIN
FEBRUARY 26, 2009