Can I keep pets in a share house?
Some share houses allow you to keep pets.
In line with the recent pet boom, the number of share houses where you can live with your pet is increasing. Although the number is still small, there are many properties in urban areas that allow pets.
If you look for a regular rental property that allows pets, the rent and initial costs tend to be high, but with a shared house, you can keep costs low.
What types of share houses allow pets?
There are two main types of share houses that allow pets.
One is a property where each tenant keeps their own pet. In this case, the number of pets living in one property will inevitably be large, and there is a possibility that many different types of pets will live together.
The other type is where all the residents take care of pets kept by the share house management company. In this type of housing, there are usually only one or two pets, and all the residents take turns looking after them. In this type of housing, pet goods are usually provided in the common areas.
Furthermore, some share houses that allow pets are run on the basis of concepts such as "cats only" or "dogs only." If your pet does not get along with other pets and tends to fight, it is recommended that you consider a share house with such a concept.
4 benefits of living in a pet-friendly share house
Here are four benefits of moving into a share house where you can live with your pet.
Benefit 1: You can share equipment and goods
If you're planning on living with pets in a share house, you'll want to consider the amenities in the room. Some share houses where you can live with pets have rooftop dog runs, shower rooms for pets, pet waste boxes, cat towers, cat walks, and other amenities that will make your precious family members comfortable and happy.
The cost of using and maintaining the facilities is often included in the rent and common area fees. It's nice to be able to easily use facilities that would be expensive or require a large amount of space to purchase on your own.
Benefit 2: Pets can live freely
One of the benefits of living in a pet-friendly share house is the freedom to live freely.
Pet-friendly share houses tend to have more spacious floorplans than typical rental properties for single people. They are designed to allow pets to move around freely, so you can choose a room that gives a sense of openness.
Also, if a share house allows pets, you don't have to worry about your neighbors being bothered by your pet's barking, so both you and your pet don't have to be unnecessarily considerate. However, if your pet barks unnecessarily or is aggressive, it may be difficult to move into a share house that allows pets.
Benefit 3: You can help and interact with other residents
Another major benefit of living in a pet-friendly share house is the opportunity to interact and help other residents with caring for their pets.
Just being a pet lover gives you a lot of things to talk about, which makes life more enjoyable. You can take your pet for walks with other residents, travel with them, and discuss issues such as training, and you can expand your interactions through pets. Even if your lifestyles are different, you have one thing in common: you love pets, so your living environment is easy to live in and very comfortable.
If you are living alone and have a pet, you will need to ask a friend to look after your pet or use a pet hotel when you are away from home for an extended period of time, but if you are staying in a shared house that allows pets, you may be able to ask other tenants to look after your pet.
Benefit 4: You can imagine life with a pet
One of the benefits of living in a pet-friendly share house is that people who have never had a pet before can imagine what it would be like to live with one.
Even if you don't have a pet, there are some share houses that allow pets so you can live there. Therefore, if you are thinking about getting a pet in the future, you can experience life with a pet by living in a share house that allows pets. You may also be able to get advice from your roommates about keeping a pet.
Three disadvantages of living in a share house that allows pets
Pet-friendly share houses where you can live with your dog or cat are an attractive place to live, but there are some things to be aware of as well as benefits. When searching for vacant rooms on property information sites, mainly in the Tokyo area, it is important to keep the following disadvantages in mind.
Disadvantages 1: There are still only a few share houses that allow pets
While there is a high demand for pet-friendly properties in popular areas such as near Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo, there are only a limited number of share houses where you can actually live with a dog or cat. For example, if you narrow down your search criteria to "women only," "Japanese-style room with tatami mats," "separate bathroom and toilet," and "within a 5-minute walk," the chances of finding a vacant room will be even lower.
In particular, properties close to stations within a 3 to 10 minute walk, properties with terraces, and properties with full facilities are often always fully booked, so it is necessary to check for vacancies frequently.
Disadvantages 2: You may be concerned about the noise, smell, and dirt
In properties where multiple tenants have dogs or cats, you may be concerned about the noise caused by their barking, dirt in the common areas, and odors. In particular, in shared houses with many shared spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, and terraces, if a tenant does not follow the rules, it can lead to trouble.
Properties with more comprehensive shared facilities tend to have better management systems, so it's a good idea to check in advance for information such as "full-house cleaning service available" or "special space for pets available."
Disadvantages 3: Compatibility issues between pets
When each resident brings a dog or cat, there is a possibility that they may not get along depending on their personalities, which can lead to trouble. It would be ideal if they could get along, but there are cases where they bark continuously or even fight.
When viewing the property, check whether pets are allowed and, if possible, take your pet there to see how it gets along with other pets. When looking for properties in Tokyo, it's also important to check whether the layout allows pets to keep a distance from each other and whether the rooms are clearly separated.
Things to keep in mind when living in a pet-friendly share house
Living in a pet-friendly share house with your dog or cat is very appealing, but because it is a space where people and animals live together, there are some rules and things to keep in mind. By keeping the following points in mind, both pets and people can live comfortably.
Point to note 1: Follow the rules of the share house
Although pets are allowed, that doesn't mean you have complete freedom.
For example, you might have a rule like this:
- Pets are not allowed in shared spaces
- Take measures against noise and smell
- Take your pet for walks and manage its excretion properly.
If you don't follow the rules, it can lead to trouble with other tenants. It's a good idea to check whether there are written rules regarding pets before moving in.
Caution 2: Vaccination and neutering are often mandatory
Many pet-friendly share houses require that pets be vaccinated and neutered/spayed as conditions for moving in. This is to prevent problems caused by infectious diseases and rutting. You may be asked to submit certificates, so be sure to have them ready.
Important point 3: Pets must be well-trained
It is assumed that the dog has basic training, such as "using the toilet properly" and "not barking or biting unnecessarily."
If training is not done properly, it can cause stress not only for the pet's relationship with the residents but also for the pet itself.
Tip 4: Check compatibility with older pets beforehand
If other tenants already have dogs or cats, it's important to consider whether they will get along with your pet.
If possible, bring your pet with you to the viewing to see if it will suit you.
How to find a share house that allows pets
"How do I find a share house where I can live with my dog or cat?"
For those of you with such questions, here are some tips on how to search. Since there are fewer properties available than regular rental properties, you will need to use a few tricks.
① Use specialized websites and share house search sites
First, check out information websites specializing in shared houses.
Many sites allow you to narrow down your search by conditions such as "pets allowed" or "dogs and cats allowed."
Representative site examples:
Each property will have detailed information such as "Pets allowed upon request," "Dogs only allowed," "Cats allowed," "Pet supplies available in common areas," etc., so be sure to check the finer details.
② Check out "pet-friendly rentals" sites
In fact, even general rental property websites that allow pets sometimes list shared house-style properties.
You may be able to find something by searching for "housing, shared house, pets allowed, Tokyo" and doing a cross-sectional search including rental sites.
summary
Pet-friendly share houses where you can live with dogs and cats have many appealing features, such as facilities, costs, and the opportunity for interaction between residents. However, there are some points to be aware of, such as the limited number of properties available and compatibility between pets, so it is important to check in advance. As long as you follow the rules and remember to be considerate of those around you, you can live comfortably with your pet. Find a home that suits your lifestyle and pets, and start enjoying a fun shared life.
