Finding a pet-friendly apartment can be challenging for pet owners in New York City. Many buildings have strict rules about pets, including restrictions on weight and breed, as well as the number of animals allowed. Some buildings only allow cats, but not dogs. However, with the right approach and patience, finding a perfect home for you and your precious pet is possible.
Here are the best ways to find a pet-friendly apartment in NYC, the rules and fees you might encounter, the pet-related amenities that some buildings offer, and other important factors to keep in mind when searching for a pet-friendly apartment in the city.
How to Find a Pet-Friendly Apartment
Hooray! You either have a pet or decided to get one. Now, you need a place for you and your furry friend, aka a pet-friendly apartment. But how do you go about starting your search? StreetEasy® is a great place to begin. Our filters allow you to narrow your search to buildings that accept pets. Just go to the Pets option and select Pets allowed.
Agent David Harris of Coldwell Banker Warburg suggests that pet owners confirm directly with the listing agent or management company, as sometimes online listing descriptions can be outdated. If the building is a co-op, an agent can contact someone on the board to get more information.
According to agent Kwesi O. Kwarteng of Coldwell Banker Warburg, pet owners should consider the needs of their pets when making decisions about the apartment, including price points and additional fees. Furthermore, rental buildings and small landlords are often more flexible and welcoming toward pets. Kwarteng also points out that Brooklyn and Upper Manhattan are great areas for pet-friendly apartments.
Pet-Friendly Brooklyn Apartments Under $3,000 Article continues below
Pet-Friendly Apartment Rules
If you’re looking for a pet-friendly apartment in New York City, there are a few rules and fees to remember. According to Harris, breed and size restrictions are common. “Most buildings restrict residents from owning dogs they consider aggressive or weighing more than 25 pounds,” he said. However, some buildings do make exceptions to the weight rule.
As for fees, they can vary widely. “Some buildings will charge a pet deposit which is a one-time fee, while others will charge pet rent, a monthly fee,” Harris said. Kwarteng added that some buildings might restrict when pets can use the elevator. “Some buildings want tenants and occupants with pets to take the freight; others have times outside the busy morning and evening rush hours for elevator use,” he said. Pet fees can range from $500 to half a month’s rent, depending on the pet’s size, weight, and breed, Kwarteng said.
Broker Mihal Gartenberg of Coldwell Banker Warburg noted that buildings could have various criteria for restricting pets. “Buildings can restrict pets on whatever criteria they deem fit, from weight to breed to the number of dogs allowed,” Gartenberg said. Therefore, being upfront with landlords and agents about your pet and its needs is vital to ensure you find a compatible living situation.
Pet-Friendly Manhattan Apartments Under $3,000 Article continues below
Pet-Related Amenities Available in NYC Apartments
New York City has long been known as a pet-friendly city, and with more and more people adopting animals during the pandemic, the demand for pet-related amenities in apartments has risen. From luxury high-rises to smaller buildings, developers and landlords increasingly offer amenities that cater to pets and pet owners.
According to Harris, pet-related amenities can range from basic to extravagant. “Pet-related amenities can range from a room in the basement with a sink that residents can use to wash their pets to the more elaborate pet spas found in some of the more luxury buildings,” he said. For example, MiMa in Midtown West offers a pet center called Dog City, which includes a pool and provides grooming services, playdates, and training.
Kwarteng also notes that some buildings provide more basic amenities, such as a dog park or a doggy playroom, and work with dog walkers for the convenience of residents.
Pet-Friendly Queens Apartments Under $3,000 Article continues below
Other Things to Consider When Looking for a Pet-Friendly Apartment
When searching for a pet-friendly apartment, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind beyond just the building’s policies. For example, Kwarteng suggests looking for a nearby park for walking pets. “Going out for a walk in the park with your pet is something to look out for,” he advises.
Additionally, Harris notes that factors beyond the building’s policies can impact whether or not you can keep a pet in your unit. For example, in a small co-op building in Brooklyn Heights, the heating and cooling system precluded the new purchaser from owning a dog or cat due to a highly allergic shareholder in another unit. Harris recommends investigating the building’s heating and cooling system, and checking for neighbors on the same floor who may have allergies.
It’s also important to note that even if a building is advertised as “pet-friendly,” there may still be restrictions depending on the individual unit owner. For example, a building could be pet-friendly, but if you’re renting from a condo or co-op owner, they might not allow an animal in their unit. Therefore, before signing a lease or purchasing a unit in a pet-friendly building, it’s crucial to confirm with the individual owner or landlord that pets are allowed in your specific apartment.
