Where to Find Housing?
Pit Bull Friendly Housing
Colonial Village at Greenbrier
1 Greenbrier Dr. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 866-436-0795
Apartments at Cobblestone Square
627 Cobblestone Cir. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 855-589-8461
Seasons at Celebrate
1001 Dunes St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401
877-676-4839
Station Square Apartments
9419 Cumberland Dr. Fredericksburg, VA 22408
855-637-0853
Muirfield Woods Apartments
21940 Muirfield Cir. Sterling, VA 20164
703-444-9400
More at My Pit Bull is Family
Want to add to this list? Send your pit bull friendly apartment to support@ambassadorpitbulls.org for review.
Pit bull friendly realtor: Michelle Fraser with Keller Williams Realty | Manassas, VA | 303-378-2364
Colonial Village at Greenbrier
1 Greenbrier Dr. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 866-436-0795
Apartments at Cobblestone Square
627 Cobblestone Cir. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 855-589-8461
Seasons at Celebrate
1001 Dunes St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401
877-676-4839
Station Square Apartments
9419 Cumberland Dr. Fredericksburg, VA 22408
855-637-0853
Muirfield Woods Apartments
21940 Muirfield Cir. Sterling, VA 20164
703-444-9400
More at My Pit Bull is Family
Want to add to this list? Send your pit bull friendly apartment to support@ambassadorpitbulls.org for review.
Pit bull friendly realtor: Michelle Fraser with Keller Williams Realty | Manassas, VA | 303-378-2364
Tips for Renting with Pit Bulls
We aren’t going to lie. It is HARD to find a home to rent when a pit bull is part of your family. We know. Many of us have been there. And those of us who have rented in the past and been lucky enough to become homeowners recognize that it hasn’t gotten any easier. If anything, it has gotten more difficult.
We attempted to compile a list of pit bull friendly apartment communities, and even after putting our collective heads together we found exactly one. It has become clear that we need to move on and refer desperate owners of black listed breeds to Plan B: Renting through private landlords. It’s still not easy but it CAN be done. Here are some basic steps to follow to be successful in your quest:
We aren’t going to lie. It is HARD to find a home to rent when a pit bull is part of your family. We know. Many of us have been there. And those of us who have rented in the past and been lucky enough to become homeowners recognize that it hasn’t gotten any easier. If anything, it has gotten more difficult.
We attempted to compile a list of pit bull friendly apartment communities, and even after putting our collective heads together we found exactly one. It has become clear that we need to move on and refer desperate owners of black listed breeds to Plan B: Renting through private landlords. It’s still not easy but it CAN be done. Here are some basic steps to follow to be successful in your quest:
- Don’t give up the search too soon. Use multiple house hunting resources. There are more places to find a pet friendly rental than just the classified ads and apartment referral websites. Many landlords list their rental properties through property management companies and/or realtors. Try visiting websites for major realtors and search for a single family, townhouse, or condo. These days the cost of renting these types of properties in a modest size is not that much different than renting an apartment.
- Be honest. Tell potential landlords that your dog is a pit bull. Being evasive and saying you have a “mixed breed” or a “terrier mix”, while it may not be untrue, detracts from your integrity as a dog owner and can make things more difficult for people who are up front and do the right thing.
- Take your clean, housebroken, well behaved dog to meet potential landlords. If your pit bull can turn on the charm and do a sit/shake-hands introduction he just may be able to win the landlord over on his own.
- Train your dog. Better yet, have your dog CGC certified. Even if a landlord is leery of the idea of renting to a Pit bull owner, that amount of effort and a demonstration of obedience and good manners can go a long way towards swaying their decision in your favor. A good experience with your dog can also open the door to future renters with this particular landlord or rental company.
- Crate train your dog. Assuring a potential landlord that your dog can’t possibly be destructive if left home alone can put his or her mind at ease. Also, knowing that your dog can be contained if he should get over stimulated rather than left to his own devices is another point in your favor.
- Create a “resume” binder. Include vet records, training certificates, references for your dog’s character as well as your integrity as a pit bull owner, and pictures of your dog being friendly with people of all ages. Tangible proof of your diligence in raising and caring for your dog may be just what a potential landlord needs in order to decide to take a chance on you and your dog.
- Offer to pay an additional deposit. Showing that your dog is worth so much to you may make the difference between a yes and a no answer.
- Get renter’s insurance. Be sure to go with a company that covers all breeds and bring proof of that to the landlord. Let them know that if the unthinkable should happen you have taken steps to protect them as the property owner.