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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Indianapolis

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a pet or are looking to get one in the near future, you’ll want to rent a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis.  However, the term “pet-friendly” can seem a bit misleading. Unfortunately, “pet-friendly” doesn’t necessarily have a concrete definition. Some pet-friendly properties may really allow you to own a dog or cat, but place restrictions on breed or size. Some other Indianapolis apartment communities might even have accommodations for your dog such as designated dog parks or complimentary waste disposal bags.

With such a difference in pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, what criteria should you use to locate one that fits you and your pet?

Start By Looking At The Community’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

An apartment is only as welcoming to dogs and cats as the pet policy. This policy outlines the rules and restrictions concerning pet ownership. Some pet policies give great flexibility and let you keep any pet you want. Some have restrictions on the breeds of dogs. Others might limit how many pets you’re allowed, as well as how much they weigh. And then some pet policies ban dogs altogether and only let you have housebound cats or small animals such as hamsters.

Few apartments place limits on the types of cat breeds permitted. More common is a pet policy that has restrictions on how many animals are allowed in a single household. There also may be increased costs connected to your pets, like increased monthly rent or costs for cleaning when you move out, or a non-returnable pet deposit you have to pay at move-in.

An elaborate pet policy doesn’t automatically mean that the community isn’t friendly to pets—as long as you and your pet fit the parameters. However, if you own a pet such as an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are parents to a whole bunch of newborn kittens, you should definitely take a look at the policy before getting invested in a particular property.

Take A Look At The Pet Amenities On Your Tour

Picture of dog park in our Indianapolis apartment community

Just like you would inspect the pool on your in-person tour, make sure to take a look at the amenities for pets. Designated dog parks give your pooch the room to burn off excess energy and give you a place where they can socialize. Frequent walking stations with disposal bags, garbage cans, and communal water bowls help keep the community clean. Some properties even have pet playdates or grooming discounts for their four-legged residents!

Even though these accommodations for pets seem wonderful on paper, the actual measure of their friendliness to pets is just how carefully they are kept up. If the place for dogs to play is overflowing with weeds or brambles, then it’s basically unusable. Pet-friendly properties ensure that waste disposal bags are regularly refilled and that the trash cans are emptied regularly. When you set up your apartment tour in Indianapolis, be sure to notice whether the amenities for pets are maintained as carefully as the ones for the humans.

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

If you can’t decide whether a property is pet-friendly or not, check out reviews on the Indianapolis apartment community. Many apartment residents consider their dogs or cats as part of the family and like to share their personal experiences of living in a particular community. You might learn that the maintenance staff carries doggie treats to hand out during service calls. Or that the front office organizes an adoption event with the humane society. You probably are safe to put those in the pet-friendly category.

Reviews will also tell you of the communities that will not return security deposits due to costs associated with pet cleaning, or those who demand exorbitant rent for pets. Just try not to let a single negative review sway you, but if you note a trend of disgruntled dog and cat owners, then you may think about looking at another complex.

Block 20 Can Be Your New Place In Indianapolis For Both You And Your Pet

When you’re researching a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis, make sure to consider Block 20. We’d love to let you tour the apartment where you and your pet can be comfortable. Just give us a call at 463-777-2762 or select the button below to schedule a tour.  We also have virtual tours available! If youare not able to make it to the property, explore our detailed virtual tours.