“Pet-friendly” does not always mean what renters think

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National dog day shows there is a gap in the rental market when “pet-friendly” does not always mean what renters think when they visit an apartment complex.

More than 80% of dog owners report difficulty finding housing that welcomes their pets. That number tells a story that the rental industry can no longer ignore. For companies like Milhaus, the answer has been straightforward: build communities where pets are genuinely part of the plan from day one, with no breed or weight restrictions standing between a dog and its new home.

Why “Pet-Friendly” Does Not Always Mean What Renters Think

Walk into almost any apartment complex office today and you will find a “pet-friendly” sign posted somewhere near the entrance.

For dog owners, those two words often come with a long list of caveats. Weight limits, breed bans, and size restrictions quietly disqualify thousands of renters before they even schedule a tour. Fewer than 10% of U.S. rentals offer truly open pet policies with no breed or weight restrictions, leaving the majority of dog owners to navigate a market that claims to welcome them while systematically turning their pets away.

The data on renter behavior makes this gap hard to dismiss. The “pets allowed” filter is the most-used amenity filter among renters on Zillow, outranking preferences for in-unit laundry, parking, and other conveniences. More than 44% of renters report passing on a property because it prohibited pets, while 32% said breed or size restrictions were enough to send them searching elsewhere. Pet policy is not a secondary consideration for these renters. It is often the first filter they apply.

Building a Pet Ecosystem, Not Just a Pet Policy

The communities getting this right are building more than a list of amenities. They are creating a pet ecosystem, a connected set of programs, policies, and dedicated spaces that make dog owners feel genuinely at home from the moment they move in.

Alanna Apartments in East Phoenix offers a clear example of what a pet-friendly community looks like in practice. The community welcomes dogs of all breeds and sizes, along with domestic cats, making it one of the rare rental communities where a Great Dane and a French Bulldog have equal standing.

A dedicated Pet Spa provides professional-grade grooming equipment on-site, giving residents a convenient, cost-effective alternative to off-site groomers. A fenced Bark Park gives dogs room to run and play year-round in a secure outdoor space designed specifically for them.

Alanna has pet stations conveniently distributed throughout the community, making clean-up easy and helping keep the grounds enjoyable for everyone. And of course, four-legged residents know exactly where to go for the good stuff!  Daily complimentary treats are available in the leasing office, creating regular opportunities for the team to connect with both its residents and their furry family members.

The community’s Pet of the Month program adds another fun layer of engagement by spotlighting one of its residents’ pets with special treats and toys while giving neighbors another reason to connect and celebrate their pets.

But it doesn’t stop there! At Alanna and throughout Milhaus communities, creating events specifically for our four-legged residents is a priority. From Pup-Cup Happy Hours and Yappy Hours to Halloween pet costume contests and photos with the Grinch during the holidays, they make sure furry residents get in on the fun too.

The staff takes pride in getting to know not only its residents by name, but their pets by name, after all, they’re part of the community.

Together, these offerings help create a welcoming, pet-friendly environment where residents and their animals are recognized, celebrated, and truly feel at home.

The Business Case for Pet-Inclusive Design

The case for pet-inclusive design is not just about making renters happy, although that matters too.

It is also a sound strategy for communities looking to attract and retain the most qualified residents. Communities that remove breed and weight restrictions immediately expand their pool of eligible applicants, capturing renters who would otherwise look elsewhere. Higher tour-to-lease conversion rates follow naturally when pet owners find a community that meets their needs without compromise.

Pet-owning households also tend to sign longer lease terms, reducing vacancy risk and the costs associated with turning over a unit. In a market where luxury apartment communities increasingly compete with single-family homes for the same renter, a genuine pet-inclusive experience can be the difference between a lease signed and a lease lost.

What the Phoenix Market Is Teaching the Rest of the Industry

Phoenix has become a compelling case study in how high-growth Sunbelt markets are leading the shift toward pet-inclusive design. The city’s combination of year-round outdoor living, rapid population growth, and a competitive rental market has created conditions where communities that welcome pets hold a clear advantage.

Alanna Apartments reflects that reality. The community sits within 4.5 miles of three major parks, giving residents and their dogs easy access to outdoor space that extends well beyond the property itself. Arcadia Park offers green space and recreation for leashed dogs within easy reach of the community. Papago Park provides trails and open landscape where residents can take their dogs for longer walks through one of the region’s most recognizable natural settings. The Desert Botanical Garden rounds out the neighborhood’s pet-friendly appeal, hosting designated Dog Days and Dog Nights seasonal events that give residents and their dogs special access to one of Phoenix’s most beloved destinations.

That kind of walkable, pet-welcoming neighborhood is not accidental. It reflects a broader understanding that pet-inclusive design is as much a location strategy as it is an amenity strategy. When renters can walk out the front door and reach parks, trails, and community events that welcome their dogs, the apartment becomes integrated into their lifestyle.

Looking Ahead: Pet Policy as a Core Design Strategy

The communities that will lead the next chapter of the multifamily industry are those treating pet amenities as a design priority from the ground up, not as an afterthought added during lease-up. At Milhaus, that philosophy is reflected across the entire portfolio. Almost all Milhaus communities offer no breed or weight restrictions, a commitment that reflects a company-wide belief that truly welcoming pets means removing barriers entirely, not just reducing them.

For renters searching for a home that genuinely welcomes their dog, the message is clear: look beyond the “pet-friendly” label and ask the questions that matter. Are all breeds and sizes welcome? Is there a dedicated space for your dog to play? Does the community treat your pet as a resident, not an exception? The gap in the rental market that National Dog Day reveals is real and it is growing. The communities that close it will not just attract more residents. They will attract residents who stay longer, renew more often, and bring their whole family, paws included.

Source: Rental Housing Journal