How to rent when you have a dog with you

They say you should get a leash; then get another one for your dog, once the landlord is under control. Here are some other steps you should take when you rent, if you have a dog:

1. When renting, remember the landlord’s approval doesn’t trump HDB rules

When it comes to HDB, there is a set list of allowable breeds. It’s also on a one-approved-dog-per-household basis. Some lax landlords don’t really care, and will tell you they’re fine with anything – even your malamute / werewolf hybrid; but if HDB does crack down, your dog will have to go.

(This sometimes results in legal issues over the lease, which get time-consuming).

Condos in Singapore are more relaxed with dogs, so that’s definitely the way to go instead. But even then, note that official laws limit the number of dogs to three. Again, we know there are some landlords who are happy to allow more; but if the neighbours complain, you are going to have to a lose a dog or change your residence.

For HDB, note that – as long as your dog is licensed and on the approved list – you do not need to get approval from HDB. Just move in with it.

2. Prepare the licenses / relevant documents to show to your landlord

Your dog has to be licensed by the Animals and Veterinary Service; this can be done online. Some landlords will also want to see that the dog has been sterilised.

Your landlords concerns will be two-fold: first, whether or not the dog will mess up the house (come consider this more probable with an unsterilised dog). Second, whether the neighbour or condo security will get freaked. For this reason, some landlords refuse to permit category B dogs, or large dogs in general.

Category B breeds are:

• Bull Mastiff
• Bull Terrier
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shepherd or related Shepherd Dog breeds;
• Rottweiler
• Perro de Presa Canario

Note that by law, category B dogs must be muzzled in public.

3. If your landlord isn’t scared of dogs, it’s a good idea to let them meet your dog

Let your landlord see that your dog is well behaved, well groomed, and not likely to equate their Italian sofa with a $3 chew toy. The landlord will also want a sense of how big the dog is, and that can be misleading without seeing the dog (you know what we mean; like how a particular German Shepherd can be surprisingly small)

Make sure your dog is clean from head to toe before you do this. Nothing ruins a shot at the lease like seeing a flea stroll by.

4. Be aware that some condos are super-restrictive with where dogs can go

Don’t assume that all those wide open, landscaped places are available for Fido to play catch with you. We know of many condos where – despite there being huge landscaped gardens – the dogs are all confined to one tiny area.

Some condos are also more draconian than others when it comes to walkways – some ban dogs along the main thoroughfares, forcing you to walk the long way around when your doggo’s with you.

It’s also common for dogs to be banned from playgrounds, BBQ areas, and places near the pool.

So don’t just check out how open and spacious the grounds are – pay attention to where your dog will be allowed to roam. The space available might still be too small.

5. Make sure the pest control devices are not accessible to your dog

Many Singaporean homes use pest control devices that are disposable, or low to the ground. For example, mouse traps or plastic poison-dispensers for cockroaches. This is especially the case for ground floor units – this is a tropical country, so creepy crawlies get everywhere.

Make sure that you move this out of the way of your dog. You know how adventurous they get with their tongues.

Alternatively, just get a unit on a higher floor (the fifth floor and above should suffice), so you won’t have as many bug problems, and won’t need the pest control measures.

On a related note, be sure to clear naphthalene balls (mothballs) out of room and closets. Just like children, your dog might get at them. We don’t know why people think it’s a great idea to roll balls of toxic chemicals around the house, but they’re still popular here.

6. Ideally, look for neighbours who are also dog lovers

Have a peek at the neighbours, and see if they have pets. Most (but not all) of the time, people who have dogs are sympathetic to other dog owners. They’re less likely to be intolerant of the occasional barking fit. And you’ll know, for a fact, that they’re not afraid of dogs.

If you get along well with the neighbour, you also have someone who can dog-sit for you in a pinch; although you may be expected to return the favour.

Living next to another dog owner also gives your pet a friend to play with, assuming the dogs get along.

7. Remember that east-facing units heat up when you’re not around

East-facing units get the full blast of Singapore’s noonday sun. However, these are often marketed as being a “good” facing, because it’s cooler in the evenings when you get home. See the problem here?

Right, your dog is in the unit when it gets to sauna-like temperatures. And if you have those big bay windows with a floor-to-ceiling view, you might as well put your dog in an oven.

Pick a unit where your dog will have shady spots to hide, when you’re not around. Alternatively, pick a unit with a different facing – this might mean its hotter in the evening, but you have opposable thumbs, okay? You can turn on the fan or air-conditioner, whereas Fido would have to suffer through it.

What are your main concerns when moving in with your dog? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Facebook post.

If you found this article helpful, check out Keeping a pet in a HDB flat: What you need to know and Pet owner shares unique home-buying journey to avoid HDB’s ‘one-dog only’ rule.

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