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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Bloomington

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you have a pet or are looking to get one in a couple of months, you’re going to need to rent a pet-friendly apartment in Bloomington.  However, the “pet-friendly” term can be quite vague. However, “pet-friendly” doesn’t share the same meaning from property to property. Some pet-friendly apartments might actually give you the option to have a dog or cat, but place limits on the breed or size. While other Bloomington apartment complexes offer additional amenities for your dog such as designated dog parks or provided waste disposal bags.

With such a difference in pet-friendly apartments in Bloomington, how do you locate the one that fits your needs?

Start By Looking At The Property’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

An apartment is only as friendly to pets as the pet policy. This policy goes over the rules and restrictions in regard to pet ownership. Some pet policies offer great flexibility and allow you to keep any pet you want. Some have restrictions on dog breeds. Others may place limits on the size and number of pets. And then some policies prohibit dogs altogether and only allow you to have cats or small caged animals.

Very few apartments place limits on the types of cat breeds allowed. It’s more common to have a policy that restricts just how many animals are permitted in a single apartment. There are often extra fees associated with having a pet, like higher monthly rent or cleaning costs when you and your pet move out, or a non-returnable pet deposit due at move-in.

A pet policy with a lot of conditions doesn’t necessarily mean that the complex isn’t “pet-friendly”—provided you and your pet fit the parameters. However, if you own a dog such as an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are caring for a whole bunch of newborn kittens, you should probably check out the policy before you get invested in a particular community.

Check The Pet Amenities During Your In-Person Tour

Picture of dog park in our Bloomington apartment community

Just as you would investigate the gym on your in-person tour, be sure to check out the pet amenities. Designated areas for your dog to play help your pup run off some steam and make some new puppy buddies. Walking stations with waste disposal bags, trash cans, and water bowls help maintain the community. Some complexes even offer playdates or grooming discounts for furry four-legged residents!

Although these accommodations for pets look wonderful on paper, the actual measure of their friendliness to pets is how well they are cared for. If the dog park is covered with weeds and brambles, then it’s more or less useless. Pet-friendly complexes ensure that dog poop bags are always in stock and that the trash cans aren’t overflowing. When you schedule your tour of the property in Bloomington, be sure to notice whether the pet amenities have the same care as the ones for the humans.

Take A Look At Reviews To Learn More About Pet-Friendly Intangibles

If you are unsure whether an apartment is a good place for a pet or not, be sure to check out reviews on the Bloomington apartment community. Many apartment residents view their pets as a significant part of the family and willingly share the good and the bad of living in a particular community. You may learn that the maintenance staff carries dog treats to pass out when entering your apartment for a service call. Or that the complex’s office hosts a pet adoption day with the local humane society. You most likely can place those in the “friendly to pets” column.

Reviews will also tell you of the communities that will not refund deposits when you move out because of cleaning costs, or those who impose excessive fees for pets. Try not to let one unfavorable opinion change your mind, but if you see a lot of angry dog or cat owners, then you may want to look at another property.

City Flats on Tenth Can Be Your New Place In Bloomington For You And Your Dog Or Cat

When you’re searching for a pet-friendly apartment in Bloomington, make sure to consider City Flats on Tenth. We’re happy to to have you visit the apartment where you and your cat or dog can call home. Contact us at 812-561-1974 or select the schedule a tour button below.  We also have virtual tours available! If youare not able to come in for a visit, explore our detailed virtual tours.