A J.C. Hart Apartment Community in Westfield, IN
 

How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Westfield

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you have a four-legged friend or are looking to bring one home in a couple of months, you are going to want to find a pet-friendly apartment in Westfield.  Unfortunately, “pet-friendly” can actually be a bit misleading. However, “pet-friendly” doesn’t necessarily have a concrete definition. Some pet-friendly properties might really mean that you can own a pet, but place restrictions on breed or size. Some other Westfield apartment complexes may even offer accommodations for your pet like designated dog parks or complimentary waste disposal bags.

With so many differences in pet-friendly apartments in Westfield, what things should you look at to discover the one that fits you and your pet?

Begin By Reviewing The Apartment’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

A complex is only as welcoming to dogs and cats as the pet policy. This policy goes over what restrictions you have when renting with a pet. Some policies offer great flexibility and let you own any pet. Some don’t allow certain dog breeds. Others may put limitations on how many pets you’re allowed, as well as how much they weigh. And then some pet policies ban dogs entirely and only permit cats or small caged animals.

Very few apartments have limits on the types of cat breeds allowed. It’s more common for a community to have a pet policy that has restrictions on the number of pets that are authorized in a single apartment. There are often extra charges associated with your animals, like more expensive rent or costs for cleaning after 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 complex isn’t friendly to pets—provided you and your pet fit within the guidelines. But if you have a pet such as an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are fostering a whole lot of tiny kittens, you should definitely take a look at the policy before falling in love with a particular complex.

Inspect The Available Pet Amenities During Your In-Person Tour

Picture of dog park in our Westfield apartment community

Just as you’d investigate the pool on your tour, be sure to check the accommodations for pets. Dedicated areas for your dog to play give your pooch the chance to get out some energy and make some new puppy buddies. Walking stations with bags for waste disposal, trash cans, and communal water bowls help keep the community clean. Some properties even offer playdates or grooming discounts for their four-legged residents!

While these amenities are perfect on paper, the actual measure of their pet-friendliness is how carefully they are kept up. If the area for dogs to play is covered with weeds and brambles, then it’s more or less useless. Pet-friendly communities make sure that waste disposal bags are regularly available and that the cans are emptied regularly. When you schedule your apartment tour in Westfield, be sure to note whether the accommodations for pets are maintained as well as the ones for the human residents.

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

If you can’t determine whether a property is a good place for a pet or not, explore the reviews on the Westfield apartment complex. Many apartment dwellers consider their dogs or cats as a significant part of their family and like to share the good and the bad of living in a particular community. You may find out that maintenance comes prepared with doggie treats to hand out during service calls. Or that the front office sets up an adoption day with the local humane society. You most likely can chalk those up in the “friendly to pets” column.

Apartment reviews will also expose the communities that refuse to refund security deposits at move-out due to costs associated with pet cleaning, or the ones who impose an inordinate amount of monthly rent for dogs and cats. Just don’t let a single unfavorable opinion affect your decision, but if you notice a lot of disgruntled dog or cat owners, then you may want to look at another complex.

Ashley Place Apartments Would Be A Great New Place In Westfield For You And Your Pet

When you’re looking for a pet-friendly apartment in Westfield, make sure to check out Ashley Place Apartments. We’re glad to show you the place where both you and your pet can call home. Just call at (317) 689-0173 or click the button below to schedule a tour.  We also have virtual apartment tours! If youare not able to come in for a visit, explore our detailed virtual tours.