A Guide For Oahu’s Pet-friendly Apartments in 2016

Locations recently teamed up with Hawaiian Humane Society to provide Oahu pet owners a go-to resource for pet-friendly apartments. Moving around Oahu with pets is not an easy task. Even though more than 60 percent of Oahu residents own pets, many apartments don’t allow them.

Locations utilized its own real estate expertise to map out every current pet-friendly apartment complex on Oahu (see the map at locationshawaii.com), and Hawaiian Humane Society’s Policy Advocate, Mary Steiner, provided some valuable tips and advice to Oahu pet owners.

Allowing pets vs. pet-friendly

When browsing Oahu apartment listings, keep this in mind: Buildings that allow pets are not the same as pet-friendly buildings. The latter will allow any type of pet and have building rules and amenities to make pets comfortable. The former will allow pets inside but will have building rules that contradict the term “pet-friendly,” including:

Restrictions for breed, size and number of pets allowed

• Some apartments won’t allow pets over 10 pounds.

• Many apartments will not allow pit bulls or other breeds that have been deemed “dangerous.”

• Some apartments only allow one pet.

Apartment rules and regulations

• Apartments may have thinly veiled rules — such as “dogs may not walk on lobby floors” — to avoid rent-ers with larger breeds.

• Select buildings only allow pets in the service elevator.

The high demand and level of competition for apartments on Oahu means you will have to be extra diligent before you sign a long-term lease.

Living with pets on Oahu

Be prepared to pay a deposit at some places. State law stipulates that building owners can charge up to one month’s rent as a pet deposit.

If you’re moving here, do your research and find a place before getting on the plane.

If you currently live in a building that has some of these pet rules, all is not lost. You can work with the building owner to institute a pet-friendly environment.

“It takes patience, but can be accomplished,” explains Steiner. “It helps when several building residents all want to change the rules. It is always better to work within the system rather than break the rules and hope you won’t get caught.”

If you’re looking for guidance and advice on how to make your apartment building more pet friendly, e-mail Steiner at msteiner@hawaiianhumane.org.

New developments love pets

Developers building new condos in Honolulu have gotten the message: People love their pets. If you’ve been eyeing some of the new condos in Kakaako, they are some of the most pet-friendly buildings on Oahu. Most of these places have specific pet amenities (dog parks with fire hydrants, pet-friendly rules) that make them ideal for animals.

Resources for pet owners

For more information on pet-friendly apartments, contact a Locations agent at 377-4642 or visit locationshawaii.com. Locations has been named “Hawaii’s Best” real estate company by Honolulu Star-Advertiser five years in a row, and its agents love animals.

Please donate to Hawaiian Humane Society and visit its web-site (hawaiianhumane.org) for a list of loving animals looking for homes.

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