Do Apartments Allow Pet Rats?

My landlord has told me that I can’t keep my pet rats. He’s a California resident who says rats can be a nuisance. He also says that rats are filthy, use their beds for toilets, chew on everything, and cause allergies in many people. Rats are also dangerous, since they can get into food and damage the property.

Rats don’t cause any harm to other tenants in the building, but cats will cause a lot of damage. They’ll eat and scratch furniture, but they won’t harm your neighbors. Cats, however, need an effective scratching surface to do their scratching. A corner of the carpet, a corner of your tenant’s furniture, or door frames and window trim are all good candidates.

Before asking a landlord if they allow pet rats, you should research the landlord’s rules. Some landlords don’t allow rats, and others are concerned about the smell. If you live in a building where rats are not allowed, you might have to spend extra money on rat cages.

If you’re not sure if your landlord will let you have a pet, find out how much the pet deposit is before signing the lease. If the pet deposit is equivalent to that of a small dog, you may have to shell out more money. But, keep in mind that this deposit is refundable, unless your pet damages the apartment.