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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Carmel

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a pet or are thinking about getting one in a couple of months, you’ll need to rent a pet-friendly apartment in Carmel.  However, the “pet-friendly” term can actually be quite vague. However, “pet-friendly” doesn’t share the same meaning from property to property. Some pet-friendly properties might really allow you to have a pet, but only with restrictions on breed or size. While other Carmel apartment communities have additional accommodations for your dog like designated areas for your dog to play or complimentary waste disposal bags.

With such dramatic differences in pet-friendly apartments in Carmel, what things should you look at to discover the one that fits your needs?

Begin By Looking At The Apartment’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

A property is only as friendly to dogs and cats as the apartment community’s pet policy. This policy details the guidelines you must follow in regard to pet ownership. Some policies give great flexibility and permit you to have any pet you want. Some place restrictions on the types of dogs you can keep. Others might limit the size and number of pets. And then some policies prohibit dogs entirely and only allow you to have cats or small animals such as hamsters and guinea pigs.

Very few apartments place limits on the types of cat breeds permitted. More common is a policy that restricts just how many animals are permitted in one household. There also may be additional costs connected to having a pet, such as increased 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 stipulations doesn’t automatically mean that the apartment isn’t friendly to pets—as long as you and your pet fit within the guidelines. However, if you have a pet like a Great Dane or an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are caring for a whole bunch of newborn kittens, you should review the policy before getting invested in a particular community.

Take A Look At The Available Pet Amenities On Your Tour

Picture of dog park in our Carmel apartment community

Just like you’d view the gym on your in-person tour, make sure to check out the pet amenities. Dedicated areas for your dog to play give your pooch the chance to get out some energy and make some new puppy buddies. Frequent walking stations with disposal bags, garbage cans, and water bowls help keep the community clean. Some apartments even have playdates or grooming discounts for residents!

Although these amenities for pets are perfect on paper, the actual test of their pet-friendliness is how well they are kept up. If the dog park is overflowing with weeds or brambles, then it’s basically useless. Complexes that welcome pets make certain that waste disposal bags are always in stock and that the trash cans are emptied regularly. When you schedule your in-person tour in Carmel, be sure to note whether the pet amenities are maintained as carefully as the human accommodations.

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

If you are unsure whether a community is a good place for a pet or not, explore the reviews on the Carmel apartment community. Many apartment residents see their pets as part of their family and like to share their personal experiences of living in a particular community. You may learn that the maintenance staff brings dog treats to hand out when entering your apartment for a service call. Or that the complex’s office hosts an adoption day with the local humane society. You probably can mark those down in the “friendly to pets” column.

Apartment reviews will also expose the complexes that refuse to refund deposits at move-out due to pet cleaning, or those who demand an inordinate amount of rent for dogs and cats. Try not to let one unfavorable review change your mind, but if you see a trend of dissatisfied pet owners, then you might want to look at another apartment.

The Legacy Towns and Flats Can Be Your New Place To Call Home In Carmel For You And Your Dog Or Cat

When you’re researching a pet-friendly apartment in Carmel, make sure to check out The Legacy Towns and Flats. We’re happy to let you tour the perfect place where both you and your pet can be happy. Just call at 317-674-1318 or select the button below to schedule a tour.  We also have virtual tours available! If you can’t visit the property, explore our detailed virtual tours.