When renting in Korea, you will always have to follow the terms and conditions that you and the landlord agreed to, and when it comes to having pets, it could be an issue for other landlords and homeowners. There are also some cases that the landlord allows the tenant to own a pet at first, but later changes their mind and tells you that you can no longer keep a pet. So what can we do if we have issues like these with the landlord?
Common complaints/issues
Usually, when landlords allow you to keep a pet in your apartment and change their mind later on, it might have something to do with the following reasons. Here are also some tips for a quick fix to these issues:
Shedding fur- If your pet’s fur reaches your apartment’s hallway, sweep at least once a week to prevent it from building up. Also, try to brush your pet to remove excess fur on their bodies.
Smell- Try to explain how often you clean your pet and its surroundings and show that you are mindful of this issue.
Too noisy- You can easily train your pet on how to be quieter. One method you can do is to give them activities for their physical and mental stimulation such as providing a toy that dispenses treats.
Pet is too big for the space- You can train your pets to have manners, once your pet is well-trained, you can show the landlord that your pet is friendly and has good manners no matter the size.
Tips when looking for a pet-friendly apartment
- When you’re asking for help in looking for a new home, it’s important to explain to your friends or real estate agent how pets are allowed.
- Bring a photo of your pet and be honest about his/her size, habits, and manners.
- Explain any temporary problems his/her temperament or moving may cause your pet(such as “he/she may bark for a few days, but after getting used to his new home he settles down”).
- If you have any doubts, bring your pet with you before signing any documents so your pet can see the location and they can see your pet before they have any judgment.
You might find it difficult to find an apartment that is very open to keeping pets, sometimes you’ll have to negotiate with the landlord or homeowner about allowing pets to live with you in an apartment. If they do agree, they will have to customize a contract where it says that they are allowing you to keep a pet in your home.