HELP!!! How to rent in Providence with my Pitty

Submitted by Worldly-Treat-3587 t3_11zv2fi in providence

​

https://preview.redd.it/1annxgf9kjpa1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=b1d0bd055c433c77a5dddccc9d87715fefb05566

I am moving to Providence in June and had no idea there was such a thing as "breed restrictions". I got my sweet pup from a shelter about 2 years ago and never thought I'd ever own a "Pit Bull". I am not here to argue for or against whatever sentiment might exist regarding "Pit Bulls", but I have had dogs my whole life and I have never felt loved by or have loved a dog as much as I do this one. I mainly just need a place to rent and after inquiring for the past 4 days, that is feeling a bit hopeless right now. Thirty minutes ago I spoke with an agent at a property management firm who said "regardless of what her breed says on paper, if she even looks like a pit bull, we have no home owners who will rent to you". Willing to do whatever it takes as getting rid of her is not an option. Any advice/tips are much appreciated!

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

n0m_chompsky t1_jdepp73 wrote

Honestly, it's hard to find places that accept dogs at all, let alone a dog that is one of the "restricted breeds."

If you can find a private landlord, they'll likely be more accommodating than the larger property management companies that work with dozens / hundreds of landlords. Anecdotally, I currently rent from a private landlord (she only owns this one building) and the downstairs neighbors have a pit bull. So there are definitely people who will still rent to you, it's just going to be more work to find.

Despite what is being implied by other comments on this thread, I would not recommend lying about your dog on the application. If the landlord / property management company were to find out you might find yourself getting evicted. There aren't a lot of tenant protections in RI so it's better to do things above board.

15

hobomom t1_jdeeu3x wrote

Looks like a lab mix to me

9

cowperthwaite t1_jdeerx1 wrote

The converted mills are a pretty good place to start looking.

Below are some mills and also reddit threads about said mills, also referred to as lofts.

https://www.usrubberlofts.com/

https://www.reddit.com/r/providence/comments/10jrfq7/american_wire_residential_lofts_regency_plaza_us/

https://www.reddit.com/r/providence/comments/10jrfq7/american_wire_residential_lofts_regency_plaza_us/

https://www.reddit.com/r/providence/comments/xcflfu/recommendations_for_loft_in_providence/

https://www.reddit.com/r/providence/comments/nol10p/westminster_lofts_review/

https://www.westminsterlofts.com/amenities

4

RandomChurn t1_jdep2u1 wrote

Some landlords are renting to pit/pit mix owners because I see them, and they're new / newish to the neighborhood (Fox Point). Out of 12 buildings on my street, there are two or three pitties, all owned by renters.

That said, there's like 3% available housing in the state (up from 2%). While it is not legal for a city to have breed restrictions (Pawtucket tried years ago and it was overturned), insurers can in effect ban breeds from properties they insure.

So it is insurers, and it's also simply the fact that if there are 100 applicants for every apt, what landlord wouldn't choose the applicant with perfect credit and no pets?

tl;dr: not impossible but you'd need that one landlord you could sway with perfect credit, previous landlord testimonials, and an offer to pay a substantial pet fee

4

Mountain_Bill5743 t1_jdf2wml wrote

Does the LL know they have a pitbull or even a dog? I knew people who had two pitbulls there (fox point), but the landlord was just absentee (it was pet free) and from my experience I'd be willing to guess half of those large breed dogs you're spotting aren't approved on the lease. Same thing my partner experienced renting in Brookline: everyone had a dog because management just cashed checks and let the building fall into disrepair lol.

Agreed, though, its a property insurance and liability issue for many owners to take on.

edit: not advocating lying what-so-ever. Neither of us has ever had a pet, it was just an open secret that others in the building were not approved since it was strictly against the lease

−2

Proof-Variation7005 t1_jdf33xj wrote

To start, you're probably going to have to widen your geographic radius beyond Providence. I know people who have and have had pit bulls, but they've always made renting a tough proposition. Add that into a rental market where prospective tenants outnumber available apartments and it's way too much of an uphill battle.

3

CustomerNo6626 t1_jdfgr06 wrote

I’m a landlord in a multi family home. I don’t rent to any potential tenant if they have a dog that can cause life threatening injuries to other pets on the property. Basically any larger breed dog. I’ve seen similar in the northern side of PVD and N PVD.

2

canibringmydog t1_jdhq3k2 wrote

I literally cannot stand my landlord but they don’t mind pets at all. I’ll DM you. Not sure if they have properties in providence but maybe something will help.

Edit: I have actually had a LARGE aggressive dog before (crossed the rainbow bridge after 13 glorious years of raising hell). I found landlords didn’t mind pit bulls so much as the minded irresponsible dog owners. I would recommend letting any potential landlord know how long the dog would be left unattended, if you have pet sitters, dog walkers, pet insurance, crating, etc. if you make sure they know they don’t need to worry about you, they won’t worry about you. Be proactive! Your bb is a wicked cutie.

2

playfellow_ t1_jdeyt51 wrote

I have some friends who rent out of apartment building in Pawtucket with a pit bull. I’d look into those rather than multi family home options

1

Alternative-Bat-8453 t1_jdfs6c7 wrote

I have an American staff and it took us months to find a place, we took over a lease from someone with a dog and at the last minute they tried to say I couldn’t have my dog bc of his size. He is the same size as the previous dog. Finally they agreed if I added him to the lease and claimed full responsibility. It’s so hard, I’m so sorry.

1

Worldly-Treat-3587 OP t1_jdgv5qe wrote

I fly in today for the weekend to see what I can learn in person. It’s encouraging at least you eventually found something. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

1

Familiar_Ad1485 t1_jdf4s8x wrote

I will never understand why anyone who needs to find housing via a rental lease agreement would have a dog, never mind a pit bull. Then complain about it online that they can’t find housing. It’s not shocking, everybody and their mother knows this by now! Should’ve thought this through before getting a pit bull, because you will have an EXTREMELY difficult time finding anyone to accept you… unless you make 6 figures, have perfect credit, and can afford $3k-$4k in rent at a luxury building.

−4

saucyname t1_jdjb8fz wrote

I’m finding myself recovering from this mindset. I sold my house (EDIT: sold because I couldn’t work from home due to noise and neighbors threatened to kill me when I complained about noise) and moved in with a family member who needs a caretaker and was having difficulty finding one until I could find a condo, but interest rates and the sharp increase in prices I’ve seen since they announced the $17500 for first time buyers is making that not a reality. There is a terrible mold issue in this house and my face swells to a point I can’t open my eyes and I constantly feel like I have the flu. The mold doesn’t bother the family member so they are not willing to spend money to remediate. Now I find myself looking at apartment after apartment that is fine with someone having 2 cats but not my 11 pound dog. Now I’m in a position where I either have to get rid of a dog I’ve had for 5 years and effectively be blacklisted from adopting from a rescue again (believe me, they’re like the mob they find these things out) or stay where my health is in peril.

0