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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Indianapolis

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you have a pet or are looking to bring one home soon, you are going to want to find a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis.  However, the term “pet-friendly” can seem unclear. Unfortunately, the term “pet-friendly” doesn’t necessarily have a concrete definition. Some pet-friendly communities may actually allow you to have a dog or cat, but only with limits on the breed or size. While other Downtown Indianapolis apartment complexes have additional amenities for your dog like designated dog parks or free waste disposal bags.

With so many differences in pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, how do you discover the one that perfectly fits you and your pet?

Start By Looking At The Apartment’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

A complex is only as friendly to pets as the apartment community’s pet policy. The pet policy outlines the rules and restrictions in regard to pet ownership. Some pet policies offer great flexibility and permit you to have any pet you want. Some have restrictions on dog breeds. Others may limit how many pets you’re allowed, as well as how much they weigh. And some other policies forbid dogs altogether and only permit cats or small animals such as hamsters.

Few apartments place restrictions on the types of cat breeds permitted. It’s more common for a community to have a pet policy that places limits on how many pets are authorized in a single household. There are often increased charges connected to your pets, like higher rent or cleaning costs after move-out, or a non-returnable pet deposit you have to pay when you move in.

An elaborate pet policy doesn’t mean that the complex isn’t friendly to pets—just as long as you fit the parameters. But if you have an animal like an American Staffordshire Terrier or a Great Dane, or are parents to a whole lot of kittens, you should probably take a look at the pet policy before signing the lease with a particular community.

Take A Look At The Available Pet Amenities During Your In-Person Tour

Picture of dog park in our Indianapolis apartment community

Just like you’d investigate the pool on your tour, make sure to check out the accommodations for pets. Designated places for your dog to play help your pooch burn off excess energy and make new friends. Stations with disposal bags, garbage cans, and communal water bowls keep the community clean. Some communities even have playdates or grooming discounts for furry four-legged residents!

Even though these amenities for pets seem perfect on paper, the test of their pet-friendliness is how carefully they are cared for. If the area for dogs to play hasn’t been mowed and is covered in trash, then it’s pretty much useless. Pet-friendly properties ensure that waste bags are consistently in stock and that the trash cans don’t overflow. When you set up your tour of the complex in Indianapolis, be sure to note whether the pet amenities have the same care as the amenities for humans.

Take A Look At A Number of Reviews To See Pet-Friendly Attitudes

If you can’t decide whether a community is a good place for a pet or not, take a look at reviews on the Indianapolis apartment community. Many people who live in apartments see their fur-babies as an important part of their family and willingly share the good and the bad of living in a particular community. You may learn that maintenance comes prepared with treats to hand out when making a service call to your apartment. Or that the office sets up an adoption event with the local humane society. You most likely can chalk those up in the pet-friendly category.

Apartment reviews will also expose the landlords that won’t give back security deposits at move-out because of pet cleaning, or the ones who demand excessive rent for pets. Just don’t let a single negative opinion sway you, but if you note a trend of irritated dog or cat owners, then you might want to look at another complex.

Can Be Your New Place To Call Home In Indianapolis For You And Your Pet

When you’re researching a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis, be sure to take a look at . We’re happy to let you tour the perfect place where both you and your pet can call home. Contact us at 463-231-3192 or click on the button below to schedule a tour.  We also offer virtual tours! If you can’t visit the property, check out our virtual tours.