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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Carmel

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a pet or are thinking about getting one in a couple of months, you’re going to need to find a pet-friendly apartment in Carmel.  However, the term “pet-friendly” can be a bit fuzzy. However, the “pet-friendly” term doesn’t share the same meaning from property to property. Some pet-friendly apartments might actually give you the option to have a dog or cat, but only with limits on the breed or size. Some other Carmel apartment communities may even have additional accommodations for your pet such as designated areas for your dog to play or provided waste disposal bags.

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

Start By Reading Over The Community’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

A property is only as welcoming to dogs and cats as its pet policy. The policy outlines the guidelines you must follow when renting with a pet. Some policies give great flexibility and allow you to keep any pet. Some have restrictions on the types of dogs you can keep. Others may limit the size and number of pets. And some other policies prohibit dogs altogether and only allow you to have indoor cats or small animals such as hamsters.

Few apartments place limits on cat breeds. More common is a pet policy that places limits on the number of animals that are permitted in a single household. There are often increased charges connected to your animals, like higher rent or costs for cleaning when you move out, or a pet deposit due at move-in.

A pet policy with a lot of conditions doesn’t mean that the complex isn’t “pet-friendly”—provided you and your pet fit within the guidelines. However, if you own an animal like a Great Dane, or are caring for a whole lot of newborn kittens, you should check the policy before getting invested in the community.

Inspect The Amenities For Pets During Your Apartment Tour

Picture of dog park in our Carmel apartment community

Just as you’d investigate the gym on your apartment tour, make sure to check the accommodations for pets. Designated dog parks help your pup get out some energy and make new friends. Frequent walking stations with disposal bags, garbage cans, and water bowls help maintain the community. Some complexes even have pet playdates or grooming discounts for furry four-legged residents!

While these amenities are wonderful on paper, the test of their pet-friendliness is just how carefully they are kept up. If the area for dogs to play is covered with weeds and brambles, then it’s basically useless. Pet-friendly complexes make certain that waste disposal bags are consistently refilled and that the cans aren’t overflowing. Basically, when you schedule your in-person tour in Carmel, be sure to note whether the amenities for pets are as well-cared for as the human amenities.

Read Multiple Reviews To Discover Pet-Friendly Intangibles

If you are unsure whether a community is friendly to pets or not, take a look at reviews on the Carmel apartment. Many apartment residents consider their dogs or cats as part of their family and like to share stories about their experiences. You may discover that the maintenance staff brings doggie treats to give out when entering your apartment for a service call. Or that the front office sets up an adoption event with the humane society. You most likely can chalk those up in the pet-friendly column.

Apartment reviews will also be able to tell you of the complexes that refuse to refund deposits at move-out due to cleaning costs, or the ones who demand exorbitant fees for pets. Just don’t let one single negative review affect your decision, but if you see a whole slew of angry dog or cat owners, then you might think about looking at another apartment.

Lakeside Apartments Can Be Your New Place In Carmel For Both You And Your Pet

When you’re researching a pet-friendly apartment in Carmel, make sure to take a look at Lakeside Apartments. We’d love to show you the perfect place where you and your pet can call home. Just give us a call at 317-344-8491 or click on the schedule a tour button.  We also have detailed virtual tours! If youare not able to make it to the property, take a look at the virtual apartment tours.