When students decide to move off campus, they have a variety of housing options to choose from. As students decide what option is right for them, there are important questions they need to keep in mind.

One question that some students may ask is if animals are allowed in certain rental units.

The majority of rental units do allow fish in aquariums and non-exotic birds in cages.

Some, though, do allow dogs and cats.

John Newlove Real Estate Co. is one company that allows dogs and cats, but only in certain buildings.

“There is more damage when pets are allowed in apartments,” said Ron Newlove, of Newlove Real Estate.

They only allow dogs and cats in certain buildings in order to contain substantial damage that can occur.

Bowling Green Village Apartments, located on Napoleon Road., does allow cats, but not dogs in its apartments. Lori Hoorman, property manager, said cats are allowed over dogs because they don’t make as much noise.

Winthrop Terrace Apartments, though, do not allow dogs or cats at all.

“Dogs and cats are not allowed because of the mess they leave and the apartment turnover rate,” Bob Spratt, manager of Winthrop Terrace Apartments, said.

There are consequences if a cat or dog is found in a rental unit when there was not supposed to be one. In Winthrop Terrace Apartments, a notice is sent out to the renter, telling him/her to get rid of the animal immediately. In addition, possession of an illegal pet will result in a fine.

For the apartments and rental units that do allow dogs and cats, a higher deposit is required. Hoorman of Bowling Green Village said that renters with cats have to pay a $150 deposit and $20 a month per cat. The $150 is given back at the end of the lease, unless substantial damage from the cat(s) has occured. At John Newlove Real Estate Units, renters have to pay a non-refundable pet deposit of $225.

The extra money is used for the different cleaning materials that are used to clean the carpet of the rental units with animals. The cleaning process is the same in all units, according to both Hoorman and Newlove, but different cleaning chemicals and materials that are used in the units where pets were kept.

If students want to live off-campus, but are afraid of not being able to bring their dog and/or cat with them, there are housing options available to accommodate pets. For renters who are afraid living somewhere where dogs or cats were once kept, the different apartments and rented units are cleaned thoroughly to rid the space of pet odors.