Successfully Buying a Pet-Friendly Condo

With the recent economic downturn and more home buyers looking to downsize to smaller homes there are many buyers out there looking to buy a condo or townhouse who've previously lived in a house. However, some of these prospective buyers are having a hard time relocating into these smaller homes due to the rules that come along with condo living.

Most condominiums allow residents to have some sort of pets in their units; what type and size of pets they allow is up to the individual condo association. Some associations allow all and any pets. Some will allow one pet, some more. Some condos allow a small dog under a certain weight; many allow one or two indoor cats. Most condo associations allow small caged pets like gerbils, hamsters, fish, and reptiles. But don't assume that any particular condo complex allows any pets at all.

What happens if your condo association finds out that you're harbouring a pet against their regulations will depend on the individual bylaws for your complex. Consequences generally range from fines and having to get rid of the pet, to lawsuits over breach of contract. Renters harboring illicit pets are often evicted if the pet isn't removed immediately.

The best way to know exactly what a condo association actually allows is to get the most recent copy of the association bylaws so that you know exactly what the rules are. However, the bylaws won't let you know what the general feeling in the complex is about pets. It is in your best interest to sit in on a association meeting or two to get a better idea how the neighbourhood feels about pets. The last few months worth of meeting minutes can also help you get an idea of if there's any bad feelings harboured about dogs or cats in the complex even if they are allowed.

It's best to be aware that even in an area that allows pets, there can be some big problems going on with pets that you might not immediately see. If neighbours are upset about dog or cat feces in common areas or pets being allowed to roam free, there will be some hard feelings about pets in general in the complex; you may want to decide to not buy into this kind of environment.

Since most pet owners look to their pets as members of their family, you will want to buy into a condo complex that is at least tolerant of your furry friends. Unfortunately, not all prospective buyers do any inquiries into the association bylaws and end up with a home where their pet is not welcome. Don't let that happen to your pet; do the research first, before you buy.