Anyone who has a pet knows the question: where to put it if you are on assembly for several weeks or months? Some solve the problem by accommodating the animal with family or friends. Others would rather have their dog or cat with them – because society is good after a long day at work, because nobody else can take care of the animal or because a longer stay without the usual environment is simply lonelier. This is a comprehensible wish, but in practice it raises a clear question: Are pets allowed in fitter apartments at all?
The basic rule – and why it varies
There is no general answer. The landlord decides whether pets are allowed in accommodation – and the regulations differ significantly from provider to provider. Some generally allow small dogs or cats, others generally reject animals, while others decide on a case-by-case basis, depending on the animal species, size and length of stay.
The reason for this is obvious. Pets leave traces – hair on the sofa, scratches on door frames, odors in carpets or upholstery. This is a real theme in an accommodation that hosts regularly changing guests. A guest who is allergic to an animal can have an unpleasant stay in an apartment where a dog has previously lived – even if thoroughly cleaned.
Why asking early is important
If you want to bring a pet with you, you should address this directly with the booking request – not only after the confirmation, not when moving in. Many landlords react openly to such inquiries if they are made in good time. Anyone who only mentions that a dog is present at check-in presents the landlord with a fait accompli – and in the worst case risk not being able to move into the accommodation.
An honest inquiry in advance gives both sides the opportunity to assess the situation. Sometimes a small additional deposit is possible, which gives the landlord the security of being able to cover any damage. In other cases, a different unit is simply offered, which is better suited for animals – such as one with access to the terrace or without sensitive floor coverings.
What landlords consider when making the decision
For a landlord, the question of pets is not a purely emotional matter, but an economic one. Extra expenses for cleaning, possible damage to furniture or floors, consideration for other residents in the house – all of this plays a role.
The question is tricky, especially in accommodation in which several parties live at the same time. A dog that barks at night not only disturbs the owner, but also the neighbors in the apartment next door. A cat running down the hallway is unproblematic for some roommates – an unpleasant surprise for others.
This does not mean that pets are generally rejected. It means that the decision depends on the specific situation – and that open communication helps to find a solution that works for everyone involved.
which animals are more likely to be accepted
Not all pets are rated equally. Small, calm animals – a Chihuahua, a domestic cat, a rabbit in a cage – are more tolerated by many landlords than a large, lively dog that needs a lot of space and can get loud. Exotic animals such as reptiles or birds are a separate category – here the reactions of the landlords are even less predictable.
The following factors often play a role in the landlord’s decision:
- Animal size and breed – a small dog usually causes less damage than a large one
- Behavior of the animal – calm, house-pure animals are more likely to be accepted
- Length of stay – with short bookings, the willingness is sometimes greater than for long ones
- Accommodation type – A ground floor apartment with garden access is more pet-friendly than a third floor room without outside area
Pets and everyday life on assembly
Even if the accommodation allows pets, practical questions arise in everyday life on assembly. A dog that waits eight to ten hours alone in the apartment while its owner is on the construction site needs at least a lunch break – or someone who checks on him in between. In a foreign city, this is not always easy to organize.
If you have an animal with you, you should not only clarify this with the landlord, but also with yourself. Can the animal spend time alone? Are there green spaces for walks near the property? And is the accommodation located in such a way that an animal feels comfortable there – quietly, not directly on a busy road?
What should be communicated to the request
If you want to bring an animal with you, you should communicate this as specifically as possible in advance. Not only ‘I have a dog’, but: Which breed, how big, how old, how old, how does he behave alone? The more information the landlord gets, the more well-founded he can decide – and the greater the chance of getting a positive answer.
A direct inquiry by phone or e-mail is often more efficient than booking via a portal that can hardly depict such detailed questions. In a direct conversation, conditions can be clarified, compromises can be found and misunderstandings avoided – before you arrive and not only afterwards. Anyone who communicates openly and honestly has the best