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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Bloomington

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a dog or cat or are looking to bring one home in the near future, you are going to want to find a pet-friendly apartment in Bloomington.  However, the “pet-friendly” term can actually be quite vague. Unfortunately, the term “pet-friendly” doesn’t share the same meaning from complex to complex. Some pet-friendly communities may really allow you to own a pet, but only with limits on the breed or size. Some other Bloomington apartment communities may even have amenities for your pet like designated parks for your dog to play or complimentary waste disposal bags.

With such dramatic differences in pet-friendly apartments in Bloomington, what criteria should you use to find one that perfectly fits you and your pet?

Begin By Looking At The Complex’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

An apartment is only as welcoming to pets as its pet policy. This policy goes over the guidelines you must follow concerning pet ownership. Some policies offer great flexibility and permit you to keep any pet. Some don’t allow certain dog breeds. Others may limit the number of pets, size or weight. And some other policies prohibit dogs altogether and only permit housebound cats or small animals such as hamsters.

Few apartments have limits on cat breeds. It’s more common for a community to have a pet policy that limits just how many animals are permitted in a single apartment. There also might be extra costs associated with your pets, such as increased rent or cleaning costs when you and your pet move out, or a non-refundable pet deposit you have to pay at move-in.

A pet policy with a lot of stipulations doesn’t mean that the apartment isn’t “pet-friendly”—provided you and your pet fit the parameters. However, if you own an animal like an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are caring for a whole lot of newborn kittens, you should probably check the policy before signing the lease with the property.

Inspect The Amenities For Pets During Your In-Person Tour

Picture of dog park in our Bloomington apartment community

Just as you’d view the gym and pool on your in-person tour, be sure to take a look at the accommodations for pets. Dedicated dog parks help your doggie run off some steam and give you a place where they can socialize. Frequent walking stations with waste disposal bags, trash cans, and communal water bowls keep the community clean. Some apartments even offer playdates or discounts on grooming for furry four-legged residents!

Although these amenities seem great on paper, the true measure of their friendliness to pets is how carefully they’re kept up. If the dog park is covered with weeds and brambles, then it’s more or less unusable. Properties that welcome pets make sure that waste bags are regularly in stock and that the trash cans are emptied regularly. When you arrange your in-person tour in Bloomington, make sure that the pet amenities are maintained as well as the ones for the humans.

Check Out Reviews To See Pet-Friendly Intangibles

If you can’t decide whether a community is pet-friendly or not, be sure to check out reviews on the Bloomington apartment. Many apartment residents consider their fur-babies as an important part of the family and have no problem relating the good and the bad of living in a particular community. You might learn that maintenance comes prepared with doggie treats to give out when making a service call to your apartment. Or that the community’s office organizes an adoption day with the humane society. You probably are safe to put those in the pet-friendly category.

These reviews will also reveal the communities that refuse to give back deposits at move-out due to cleaning costs, or those who demand excessive fees for dogs and cats. Just try not to let one unfavorable review change your mind, but if you note a lot of disgruntled dog and cat owners, then you might think about looking at another property.

City Flats at Renwick Can Be Your New Place In Bloomington For You And Your Dog Or Cat

When you’re searching for a pet-friendly apartment in Bloomington, make sure to consider City Flats at Renwick. We’re happy to show you the place where you and your cat or dog can call home. Give us a call at 812-578-7432 or click the button below to schedule a tour.  We also offer virtual tours! If you are unable to visit the property, explore our detailed virtual tours.