Pet-friendly apartments - what would you include?

[Anonymous]

I'm a DC landlord who currently doesn't allow pets, but I know from fielding hundreds of calls about it there is a real need for places for people who have pets, especially large dogs, to live. I'm toying with the idea of renovating a small apartment building (4-8 units) into a pet-friendly building. If you were designing a pet-friendly apartment, what details would you include? I'm thinking about things like tile floors (so they don't get scratched up by claws) and a yard for letting them do their business. Other ideas? What would you want in a pet-friendly apartment if you could design it from the ground up? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have a small dog currently. I'm not a fan of carpet anywhere with dogs. Hardwood always seemed cleaner because dogs shed and have accidents. The only thing I like is the dog poop stations. Not sure dogs need any more than that.

Btw as a dog owner, my dog hasn't had an accident indoors in years, nor do his nails scratch anything up. Kids are way, way more damaging to walls and carpet. But I have been to friends homes who's dogs aren't potty trained...

[Anonymous]

Sound proofing

[Anonymous]

In terms of floors, I would do industrial flooring like you find at pet smart. You can always cover it later if need be with hardwood or carpet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In terms of floors, I would do industrial flooring like you find at pet smart. You can always cover it later if need be with hardwood or carpet.

That's a great idea. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

For me and my dog, an area where I could let him off leash would be fantastic. A small side yard with a fence or something. I would still expect "scooping" to be enforced in said area.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I'd love to rent an apartment with industrial flooring like Petsmart... But definitely no carpet. Hardwood floors & tile in the kitchen & bathrooms. Most of the damage to floors comes from moving furniture (eg) dining room chairs, etc., not pets.

Soundproofing is a good point. Between floors (I lived under a greyhound who ran back & forth the length of the apartment frequently) and on common walls.

And yes to a small fenced area to let the dog do their business.

Not sure how you weed out incessant barkers. Maybe require you meet the dog or references or something?

[Anonymous]

I just want to echo how much pet-friendly apartments are needed! Good thinking. I would encourage you to not charge pet rent, because it's ridiculous price gouging and you will lose out on some reliable, trustworthy tenants that way.

We have cats and we have always had hardwood floors throughout the apartment and tile bathrooms. There is never any damage from the cats.

If we had a dog, it would be helpful if the yard was fully fenced in so you don't have to keep it on a leash.

Love the soundproofing idea... not just for dogs barking, but for all of the noises neighbors make.

[Anonymous]

If I were designing a pet-friendly apartment, I would build a mini closet (about 18" wide) with a cat door to place the litter box in, so the box wouldn't need to go in the bathroom.

I would line the walls of the closet (about a foot up) and the floor with the roll out waterproof shower pan liner that you can get a home depot or Lowes (easy to install, easy and cheap to replace between tenants).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were designing a pet-friendly apartment, I would build a mini closet (about 18" wide) with a cat door to place the litter box in, so the box wouldn't need to go in the bathroom.

I would line the walls of the closet (about a foot up) and the floor with the roll out waterproof shower pan liner that you can get a home depot or Lowes (easy to install, easy and cheap to replace between tenants).

This is kind of silly. What if the renters didn't have cats? This closet would be useless.

Laminate floors are the way to go for pets. Doesn't scratch and cheap to replace if necessary.

[Anonymous]

A place to wash the dog, either a station with a hose outside or better yet a shower stall with a door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were designing a pet-friendly apartment, I would build a mini closet (about 18" wide) with a cat door to place the litter box in, so the box wouldn't need to go in the bathroom.

I would line the walls of the closet (about a foot up) and the floor with the roll out waterproof shower pan liner that you can get a home depot or Lowes (easy to install, easy and cheap to replace between tenants).

This is kind of silly. What if the renters didn't have cats? This closet would be useless.

Laminate floors are the way to go for pets. Doesn't scratch and cheap to replace if necessary.

The dude asked about pets.

Pets include cats.

A litter box sized closet would be wonderful for tenants with cats. Lining it with something waterproof, cheap and disposable that could be easily removed would not be a necessity but would be a huge benefit to the landlord.

If you don't have cats, a closet of that size would work for mops/brooms or a vacuum cleaner. It would also hold things like toilet paper, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A place to wash the dog, either a station with a hose outside or better yet a shower stall with a door.

What if the renters don't have dogs? A dog wash station would be useless.



(I actually think that would be a good idea too. Equally as practical as a litter box closet)

[Anonymous]

Each room needs to be tiled floor with tiles running up to the ceiling and a drain in the center of each room so you can pressure wash the funk.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared to put a lot of $ into replacing the flooring between tenants and having smelly apartments.