Rental Property and Aggressive Dog Breeds

Are you having trouble locating a rental property that will accept your dog? Finding a rental property is difficult enough, finding one that accepts pets can complicate the situation. If you have a pet that is on the Aggressive Breeds, list your search for a rental property becomes even more difficult. Insurance Companies that insure Home Owners and Renters are becoming very picky about which dog breeds they will insure and which they will not. Each Insurance Company creates its own list. The list has no specific scientific criteria required for a dog breed to be blacklisted; it is usually based upon the Insurance Company’s opinion of the risk the dog breed presents. Honestly, it is possible that a simple report in the media regarding a breed may be enough to cause an official at an insurance company to decide that a breed is dangerous. Insurance Company's should only be allowed to blacklist a dog based on the individual dog and if the dog has a known history of being aggressive or if the dog has been officially designated as dangerous.

Insurance Companies evaluate the risk, financial risk, and possible claims their company may have to payout. Claims associated with dogs can get very costly. If your insurance company does not know you have a “dangerous” dog and they find out, your policy may immediately be canceled or non-renewed.

Some suggestions I have heard to help a renter with a dog that is on the aggressive breed list is for a renter to get dog liability insurance. Dog liability insurance can be very reasonable and covers bodily injury and property damage a pet may cause. Most property owners or landlords are worried that they will be sued if their tenant’s dog bites or hurts another person or animal. Then there are the questions is your dog a service animal or for emotional support? According to the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities (whether these disabilities are visible or can’t be seen), have the right to keep emotional support animals, even when a landlord’s policy explicitly prohibits pets. I have also heard of tenants taking their dogs to dog obedience schools and providing resumes for their pet and references from people that have interacted with their dog.

Update: Some states are putting in place legislation that will protect a dog owner and remove the abilities of insurance companies to discriminate or restrict certain breeds. There are roughly 21 States, so far that have made this move. 

Property owners or property managers want to rent to responsible dog owners; they make great tenants and usually stay longer in one place to keep their whole family together. Happy house hunting!!!!!

Do you need a rental property in Redding, CA. that will allow a pet. Our website will allow you to search by the type of pet you have so you can find pet-friendly rental properties quickly.