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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Indianapolis

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a four-legged friend or are looking to get one soon, you’ll need to locate a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis.  Unfortunately, the term “pet-friendly” can be unclear. However, the “pet-friendly” term doesn’t necessarily have a concrete definition. Some pet-friendly apartments may really allow you to have a dog or cat, but place restrictions on breed or size. Other Indianapolis apartments have additional accommodations for your pet such as designated parks for your dog to play or complimentary waste disposal bags.

With such a difference in pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, how do you discover one that fits you and your pet?

Start Off By Reviewing The Complex’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

An apartment is only as pet-friendly as its pet policy. The pet policy outlines the rules and restrictions concerning pet ownership. Some policies are open-ended and permit you to have any pet you’d like. Some don’t allow certain different types of dog breeds. Others might put limitations on the size and number of pets. And then some pet policies ban dogs entirely and only allow you to have cats or small animals such as hamsters and guinea pigs.

Very few apartments have restrictions on the types of cat breeds permitted. More common is a policy that limits just how many animals are allowed in a single household. There are often increased fees associated with your animals, like more expensive monthly rent or cleaning costs when you and your pet move out, or a pet deposit you have to pay at move-in.

A pet policy with a lot of stipulations doesn’t necessarily mean that the complex isn’t friendly to pets—just as long as you and your pet fit within the guidelines. But if you have a pet such as a Great Dane or an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are parents to a whole bunch of playful kittens, you should probably check out the policy before signing the lease with a particular property.

Check The Available Pet Amenities On Your Tour

Picture of dog park in our Indianapolis apartment community

Just as you’d inspect the gym on your tour, make sure to take a look at the pet amenities. Designated areas for your dog to play help your pup run off some steam and give you a place where they can socialize. Frequent walking stations with bags for waste disposal, garbage cans, and water bowls keep the community clean. Some apartments even offer playdates or discounts on grooming for furry four-legged residents!

While these amenities for pets are perfect on paper, the true test of their friendliness to pets is how well they’re kept up. If the place for dogs to play is covered with weeds and brambles, then it’s more or less unusable. Properties that welcome pets make certain that waste bags are always refilled and that the trash cans are emptied regularly. When you arrange your in-person tour in Indianapolis, be sure to notice whether the accommodations for pets are maintained as well as the ones for the humans.

Take A Look At Reviews To See Pet-Friendly Intangibles

If you can’t decide whether a property is pet-friendly or not, explore the reviews on the Indianapolis apartment. Many people who live in apartments consider their pets as part of the family and like to share their personal experiences of living in a particular community. You might find out that maintenance carries treats to pass out when entering your apartment for a service call. Or that the office hosts a pet adoption day with the local humane society. You most likely can place those in the pet-friendly column.

Reviews will also be able to tell you of the complexes that refuse to return security deposits because of pet cleaning, or those who charge an inordinate amount of rent for dogs and cats. Try not to let a single unflattering opinion change your mind, but if you see a whole mob of dissatisfied dog or cat owners, then you might consider looking elsewhere.

The Waverley Apartments Can Be Your New Home In Indianapolis For Both You And Your Pet

When you’re looking for a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis, be sure to take a look at The Waverley Apartments. We’re happy to to have you visit the perfect place where both you and your pet can call home. Just call at 317-800-7017 or click the schedule a tour button.  We also offer virtual tours available! If you can’t make it to the property, take a look at the virtual apartment tours.