This makes it easier to find a rental home where your pet is welcome

Finding a home is already a challenge, but with a loyal four-legged friend or a stubborn cat by your side, it sometimes feels like an impossible task. Many landlords are reluctant because of fear of noise pollution, odors or damage to the home. However, in the Netherlands, it is certainly possible to find a nice place for you and your pet, provided you use the right strategy.

The secret to a successful search lies in transparency and trust. Instead of keeping your pet hidden (which can cause big problems later), show that you are a responsible owner with a well-behaved animal. With the following approach, you will significantly increase your chances.

The legal side: Can pets be banned?

Many standard leases include a clause prohibiting pets. It's good to know that this is a grey area legally. The right to enjoy undisturbed living and respect for your private life weighs heavily in the Netherlands.

A landlord is usually not allowed to ban a pet just like that, unless there is a good reason. Think of a huge dog in a tiny studio or an animal that causes serious inconvenience to the neighbors. Nevertheless, you naturally want to avoid a lawsuit. It is always better to make good arrangements in advance so that you can receive the keys with peace of mind.

Create a “Pet Resume”

It may sound a bit exaggerated, but a resume for your pet can be the deciding factor for a doubting host. This removes an owner's unconscious fears before they become a problem.

What do you put in such a resume?

• A nice photo: Show what kind of animal it concerns. A cute photo of a calm dog works better than just the word “dog.”
• Character description: Is your cat a lazy sleeper? Is your dog used to an apartment and never barks? Write it down.
• References: Did you rent somewhere else for this? Ask your previous host for a brief statement that your pet did not cause any inconvenience or damage. This is worth gold.
• Health: Mention that your animal has been vaccinated, microchipped and is being treated regularly for fleas.

Smart housing market filter

Not every home is equally suitable for animals. By searching specifically, you can save yourself a lot of rejections.

Look for specific terms

On platforms like Funda or Pararius, use keywords such as “pets allowed” or “in consultation”. Homes with a garden or on the ground floor are more often considered “pet-friendly” by landlords than a penthouse with an expensive herringbone floor.

Focus on bare or upholstered homes

Landlords of fully furnished homes are almost always stricter. Indeed, they are afraid that their own expensive sofa will be used as a scratching post. In a bare or upholstered home, you bring your own furniture, so the risk for the landlord is much smaller.

Offer extra security to the landlord

If a landlord is unsure, you can suggest including additional agreements in the contract. This shows that you take the owner's concerns seriously.

• Extra cleaning clause: Agree to have the home professionally cleaned upon departure (including carpet cleaning if applicable).
• Pets paragraph: Include in the contract that you are responsible for any damage caused by your pet. This is already the case by law, but putting it in black and white gives the landlord peace of mind.
• Pet insurance: Show that you have third party insurance that covers pet damage.

Honesty lasts the longest

It can be tempting to 'reveal' your pet only after you've signed the contract. Although this is sometimes legally difficult for a landlord to challenge, it immediately ruins the relationship. If a minor repair is needed later or the landlord has to be in the home for something else, you immediately start with a backlog.

By playing cards from the start and presenting your pet as part of your household, you'll find a place where you're really welcome. Most private hosts are also just people with a heart for animals; you just have to show them that your pet is the perfect 'co-resident'.